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LIFE, MINISTRY, AND TRAVELS 



ANCIENT SBEVANT OF JESUS CHRIST 



JOHN RICHARDSON. 



He that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me; 
and he that despiseth Me, despiseth Him that sent Me.— Luke x, 16. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

PRINTED AND SOLD BY T. W. STUCKEY, 

6'J4 Weaver Street. 

1867. 







^ 



/Vf 



y4 

THE TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS 



BELONGING TO 



GISBROUGH MONTHLY-MEETING 

Concerning our worthy Friend^ John Richardson, who 

dejparted this life, near Hutton-in-the-Hole, the 2d of 

the Fourth month, 1753, in the Eighty -seventh 

year of his age, and ivas buried in the 

Friends' Burying- Ground^ at 

Kirhy- Moor side. 



As MANY of our elders are removed, and but few left 
wlio liad personal knowledge of this our Friend in his 
younger years and early part of his service, we cannot 
give so full an account thereof as otherwise might have 
been done. Nevertheless, by accounts transmitted to us, 
we have cause to believe he was much devoted and cheer- 
fully given up to walk in the way of his duty, and therein 
was of great service to the churches where his lot was 
cast ; as also an instrument in the Divine Hand in turning 
many to righteousness. 

As to the latter part of his life, we have this testimony 
to give of him, that he was a lover of Discipline and good 
Order in the Church, diligent in attending meetings for 

3 



iv TeUimony of Gishrough Monthly -Meeting. 

worsliip and Truth's service, whilst of ability ; a good ex- 
ample therein, by sitting in a still, quiet, and unaffected 
manner in silence, and when raised up to bear a public 
testimony, was comfortable and acceptable to Friends. 

And when his natural faculties were somewhat im- 
paired, and he confined at home through old age and in- 
firmities, he apj)eared more and more heavenly-minded, 
and seemed to grow in the life of religion, that we hope 
he is now at rest in the fruition of that happiness prepared 
for such as hold out to the end in well doing. 

Signed on Behalf of the said 3Ieeting, held at Castle- 
ton, the 22d of the Third month, 1754^ l>y 

John Snowdon, Isaac Taylor, 

William Peirson, Thomas Ellerby, 

John Flintoft, Caleb Fletcher, 



John Wilson, John Martin, 

Thomas Ward, Gteorge Coats, 

Onesiphorus Hoopus, George Mason, 

Isaac Stockton, Joseph Flintoft, 

John Baker, Richard Wilson, 

Thomas Wood, William Hartas, 

John Stephenson, Joseph Hesleton 



THE TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS 



FROM THE 



QUARTERLY-MEETINa HELD AT YORK. 



On reading the testimony given from tlie Montlily 
Meeting of Grisbrougli, concerning our late ancient and 
worthy Friend John Richardson, deceased, of which we 
approve, and do find ourselves under an engagement to 
add this short testimony ; that from certain experience of 
the service he has had amongst us in a fresh and lively 
ministry, and in the exercising of the Discipline of the 
Church in a Gospel spirit, whereby many received comfort 
and edification ; and some of us having knowledge of him 
from his early appearance in the ministry, remember that 
he was acceptable to Friends, being sound in doctrine, 
reaching to the witness of God in those to whom he minis- 
tered. He was a diligent and faithful labourer, travelling- 
several times through most parts of this nation, and 
visited Friends' Meetings in Scotland and Ireland, as also 
twice the English plantations in America, leaving many 
seals of his ministry, having had the approbation and unity 
of his Friends with his service both at home and abroad. 
He was a tender nursing father in the Church over the 
youth whom God had visited, to encourage and strengthen 

5 



vi Testimony/ of York Quarterly -Meeting . 

those newly convinced, to whom also he was a good exam- 
ple; and though of a sweet and courteous disposition, yet 
careful in the spirit of wisdom to caution and guard such 
against the deceitful workings and false representations of 
the Spirit of Error ) and to divers of us who visited him 
toward the close of his time, he appeared in a heavenly 
frame of mind, to our great comfort, evidencing a prepara- 
tion for that eternal bliss whereinto (we doubt not) he is 
entered, and reaps the fruits of his labours. 



Signed in and on Behalf of our Quarterly Meeting^ 
Tield at York, the 27th and 28th of the Third month, 
1754, hy 

BOSSELL MiDDLETON, 

John Scott, 
EoBERT Henderson, 
Edward Stabler, 
Roger Shackleton, 
Layton Firbank, 



William Hird, 
John Flintoft, 
William Cotvell, 
John Birkbeck, 
John Kilden, 



Samuel Grimshaw, 
William Coning, 
Thomas Aldam, Jun., 
William Payne, 
John GtReenwood, 
John Hustler, 
Caleb Fletcher, 
William Brown, 
x\braham Sutcliff, 
John Sutcliff, 
Jonathan Craven, 



Thomas Rowland. 



COISr TENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Account of liis Father — His Sufferings and Death — Youthful 
Follies and Visitations — Openings and Trials — Aversion to 
Quakers and their Plainness — Dislike of his Mother^s Marriage 
— Her Sorrow — Ill-treatment by his Step-father — Marmaduke 
Stevenson — Early Appearance as a Minister — Forced to Leave 
Home — Apprenticeship — His Master's Kindness — Healed of his 
Lameness and Stammering — Travels in the Ministry — William 
DeTvsbury — Learns Glockmaking — Disputes with Priests and 
Processors — Settles at Bridlington — His Marriage — Parentage, 
Character, and Death of his Wife — Vision — Prophecy — Cure. 

CHAPTER II. 

Requirements of Truth — Is Concerned to Visit America — Sails 
from London — Preservation — Safe Arrival a Cause of Thank- 
fulness — Dream — Its Fulfillment — Edward Thomas — Priestly 
Rapacity — Opposition — Truth Triumphant — Objections An- 
swered — Boston — Ill-behaviour of the People — Thomas Maul- 
ham — Accident — Meeting at Rhode Island, 

CHAPTEH III. 

Visits Nantucket — James Bates — Peleg Slocum — Susanna Free- 
born — Fear of the People — Nathaniel Starbuck — Mary Star- 
buck — Her Position and Influence — Meeting at Her House — 
Its Orderly Arrangement — Her Convincement — Debate with a 
Priest — William Penn — Reflections. 

CHAPTER lY. 

Leaves New England and Nantucket — Arrives at Lynn — George 
Keith — His Boasting and False Statements — John Richardson's 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

Answer to the Same — A Slander Refuted — George Keith's 
Confession — Priest Sheppard silenced — Visits Long Island — 
Thomas Story — John Rodman — A True Account of George 
Keith's Conduct. 

CHAPTER V. 

Query of Rhode Island Yearly Meeting — John Richardson's An- 
swer — Exercise in a Meeting in New Jersey — Like Concern in 
Pennsylvania — Rogers, and His Gift — Visits Pennsbury — In- 
terview with William Penn and the Indians — Their Views on 
a Future State — Their Acknowledgment of the Truth — Dis- 
tress of the Wife of a Man who had become a Quaker — Lord 
Baltimore and Wife — Anecdote of the Governor of Virginia — 
Peril — Escape — The Young Presbyterian.] 

CHAPTER YI. 

Sails for Barbadoes — Visits Bermuda — Interview with the Gov- 
ernor — His Kindness — Judge Stafford — His Love and Zeal for 
the Truth — Incidents of the Voyage — Sickness — Controversy 
on Baptism — Sails for England — Arrival — His Marriage. 

CHAPTER YII. 

Anne Richardson Appears in the Ministry — Growth Therein — 
Her Testimony against Superfluity of Dress and Corrupt Lan- 
guage — John Bowstead's Testimony Concerning Her Zeal for 
the Truth — Her Death — His Travels in the Ministry. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Second Visit to Friends in Ireland — Reflections on the State of 
the Society — Departure from Simplicity in Dress — Sickness — 
Thomas Wilson — Controversy with a Doctor and Priest — Dis- 
cussion with a Papist — Views on the Payment of Tithes. 

CHAPTER IX. 

Second Visit to Friends in America — Discussion with a Baptist — 
Debate with an Episcopalian — Answers the Objections of a 
Presbyterian Priest — Returns to England — Remarkable Deliv- 
erance — Isaac Skelton's Love. 



AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE 



JOHN RICHARDSON, 

With a Brief Relation concerning his Father, 
WILLIAM RICHAKDSON. 



CHAPTER I. 



Account of his Father — His Sufferings and Death — Youthful 
Follies and Visitations — Openings and Trials — Aversion to 
Quakers and their Plainness — Dislike of his Mother's Marriage 
— Her Sorrow — Ill-treatment by his Step-father — Marmaduke 
• Stevenson — Early Appearance as a Minister — Forced to Leave 
Home — Apprenticeship — His Master's Kindness — Healed of his 
Lameness and Stammering — Travels in the Ministry — William 
Dewsbury — Learns Clockmaking — Disputes with Priests and 
Professors — Settles at Bridlington — His Marriage — Parentage, 
Character, and Death of his Wife — Vision — Prophecy — Cure. 

It HAS been repeatedly revived in my mind to leave 
the following account concerning my dear father, William 
Richardson, having also seen something of his own in man- 
uscript concerning his convincement, with remarks on some 
other things; but I being young when he died, did not 
then much heed it, and when I would gladly have seen it 
for my own satisfaction, I could not, nor as yet can, meet 
with it; therefore, inasmuch as my father was early con- 
vinced of the truth, a sufferer for it and bore a public tes- 
timony to it, I found it my duty, as near as I could remem- 



2 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

ber the contents thereof, to leave this short account con- 
cerning him, viz. : — 

He was born at North Cave, in the east part of York- 
shire, in the year 1624, of honest parents and of good 
repute, and was educated in the Episcopal way, being 
soberly inclined, from his childhood and upward a lover 
and seeker after purity and virtue; and I have heard him 
say, gave his mind much to retirement, reading the Holy 
Scriptures, breathing and seeking after the Lord especially 
in the fields, being by calling a shepherd ; and it pleased 
the Lord to open his understanding so clearly, that he saw 
and longed for a more excellent dispensation to come; and 
also saw that the priests were wrong, and generally proud 
and covetous, so that he was weary with following them, 
and much weaned from them and all company, except two 
or three men who did meet with him, and spoke one unto 
another concerning their inward conditions, and what they 
had experienced of the Lord's dealings with them. This 
was before they had heard of the name Quaker, as it was 
in a short time after given to a people which the Lord 
raised up to give testimony of the notable and ancient, yet 
newly-revived and blessed, dispensation of Christ's coming 
and manifestation by the Holy Spirit, inwardly in the 
hearts and minds of the children of men, in order to 
enlighten, quicken, sanctify, and save them from darkness, 
death, ignorance, and sin, that they might be made capa- 
ble of obeying, worshiping, and glorifying the great God 
and sanctifier of them. 

And as my father was thus waiting and looking for 
a more general breaking forth of this glorious, powerful, 
and gospel day, which had in a good degree sprung up in 
his heart, he had not, as yet, seen that worthy and good 
man, George Fox, although he passed through thosa parts 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 3 

about that time; but soon after came William Dewsbury, 
and at the sound of his voice, I have heard my father say, 
he was exceeding glad, in hearing him declare the way to 
find the lost piece of silver, the pearl of great price within, 
a Saviour near that had been held forth by men to be at 
a distance. But having left the dark watchmen, of whom 
they used to inquire, they now met with their beloved at 
home in their own bosoms ; renowned be the great name 
of the Lord, now and for ever. 

Thus, the hearing and receiving the ever blessed truth 
was as the seed or word of the kingdom, sown in the good 
ground or honest hearts of men, which took root down- 
ward and sprang upward and brought forth fruit, in some 
thirty, in some sixty, and in others an hundred-fold, to 
the praise of the great and good husbandman. 

My said father was early raised up to bear a public 
testimony, which was living and acceptable to Friends, 
but was so much attended with weakness of body for 
many years, that he went little abroad in the work of the 
ministry. He suffered patiently the spoiling of his goods, 
and imprisonment of his weakly body, in the great and 
more general imprisonment; he not only believed in Jesus 
Christ, but suffered for him : he was a good neighbour, a 
loving husband, and a tender father over all that was good, 
but severe to all that which was wrong, and was for judg- 
ment without respect of persons, and spared it not even to 
his own children; and especially was he much concerned 
for me, for, as he said, I was the wildest of them; and as 
he lived well and believed in Jesus Christ, I doubt not 
that he has finished his course in the love and favour of 
God, is entered into a mansion of glory, and is at rest 
with all the faithful who loved not their lives unto death, 
but rather hated them in comparison of that endeared and 



4 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

unfeigned love tliey bore to God the Father, and to Jesus 
Christ His dear and well-beloved Son, who died for them, 
and also for the whole world. 

He departed this life in 1679, aged about fifty-five 
years, and was decently buried in the Friends' burying- 
place in Hotham, near Cave, where he was born. 

Now, having given this short account concerning my 
father, it remains with me to leave to posterity some re- 
marks on my convincement, with an account of sundry 
transactions, travels, healings, and deliverances I met with 
in and from my youth to this day, with some advice and 
openings in the Spirit of Truth. 

I was young when my father died, not above thirteen 
years of age, yet the Lord was at work by His Light, 
Grrace, and Holy Spirit in my heart, but I knew not then 
what it was which inwardly disquieted my mind, when 
any thing which was evil did prevail over the good in me, 
which it oftentimes did for want of taking heed to that of 
Grod in my heart : I desired ease and peace some other 
way, without taking up the cross of Christ to my own cor- 
rupt will, and strove for some time (as no doubt many do) 
to make merry over the Just Witness, until for a season 
the converting and true witness of Grod seemed to be slain, 
or disappeared 3 and then I took liberty, but not in gross 
evils which many ran into, being preserved religiously in- 
clined, seeking after professors, and inquiring of them for 
my information and satisfaction, to find (if I could) any 
thing that was safe to rest in, or any true and solid com- 
fort to my poor, disconsolate, and bewildered soul; but I 
was afraid I should be deceived, or take up a false rest in 
ajiy thing that was wrong or unsafe — which was the great 
love and mercy of Grod to me. But after many searchings 



i 

LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 5 

and inquirings among those wlio were but in the letter 
without and in the outward court, where the veil is over 
the understanding, and the eye of the mind is not truly 
opened to see into things that are invisible and hid from 
all carnal-minded men, even so was my state and afflic- 
tions hid from them; and all the deceitful workings of 
Satan, and the strong temptations which I met with, these 
blind guides could not see, nor their veiled understand- 
ings know, how to direct me to the true Shepherd of Is- 
rael, the Lawgiver coming out of Sion, that turns away 
ungodliness from Jacob, and transgression from Israel; 
not having truly experienced deliverance wrought in them 
out of this cloudy, bewildered, and tempted state which I 
was in. Oh 1 that people would come to Him that hath 
the eye-salve, with which if the eye be truly anointed, it 
will see clearly things as they are, and not darkly, mis- 
taking trees for men, and things terrestial for things ce- 
lestial; and that they would buy gold tried by the fire of 
him that is called the tried stone, elect and precious, laid 
in Sion for a foundation. This is Christ, whom the true 
Church believes in and builds upon, and they are enriched 
with his love, power, and virjbue, which is better than gold 
outwardly: this is the anointing and the unction, which 
the true Church hath and doth receive from Christ the 
Holy One; and such as do truly put on his righteousness, 
purity, and holiness, their clothing is better than that of 
fine linen outwardly. Oh ! that all the inhabitants of the 
earth might be thus anointed, enriched, and truly clothed, 
that no more inward blindness or poverty may be found 
in the children of men, nor the shame of their nakedness 
be any more seen, now or hereafter. 

Receive and learn these things, you that can, of Him 
that is the faithful and true witness, that always witnesseth 

1* 



6 LIFE or JOHN RICHARDSON. 

against the evil in man, but always givetli witness to the 
Father for the good in men, which they do say and think. 
This is the spirit of him that was dead, and is alive, no 
more to be known after the flesh, as the Apostle gave tes- 
timony, and is to be known inwardly and spiritually by 
the children of men, to open the blind eye, and unstop the 
deaf ear, and pierceth into the soul that hath been clouded 
and captivated, imprisoned and misguided, and even in 
a wilderness, and sees not a way for deliverance : like 
Israel in the land of Egypt, when the Lord Jehovah sent 
Moses, a lively type of Christ, and employed him in that 
great work of pleading with, and plaguing Pharaoh and 
the Egyptians; yet for a time their burdens and afflictions 
were increased, and their exercises more imbittered unto 
them, until that great and marvelous work was in a good 
degree accomplished, which was their deliverance out of 
Egypt, the great and mighty work for which Moses was 
chiefly sent ; which deliverance was not wrought until the 
first-born of man, and of beast, was slain throughout all 
the land of Egypt. 

Now the clear opening I had in the light of what is 
to be understood and gathered from hence, i^ not the slay- 
ing of the outward man, but a putting off", or slaying the 
body of the sins of the flesh, crucifying or putting off the 
old man with his deeds ; and as to the beast, all cruelty, 
lust, pushing, tearing, devouring, and savageness, is to be 
slain or put away; and the corrupt or strong will of man, 
as well as what is beastial must be slain, before man can 
come from under the power of him who is called the 
Prince of the Power of the Air, who rules in the hearts of 
the children of disobedience. These things must be ex- 
perienced before the children of men can go forth rightly 
qualified to glorify God, and follow His dear Son, whom 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 7 

He hath appointed to be a leader and a commander of His 
people. This is he, as Moses declares, who is to be heard 
in all things, under the penalty of being cut off from the 
people, or of having their names blotted out of the Book 
of Life, or being deprived of the comforts of the Lord's 
holy presence. Kead this, you who have heard and under- 
stood what the Spirit saith unto the churches. These 
things I saw after the true witness arose or revived, and 
the light did shine which had disappeared, or had been 
clouded. I have been led into these openings, which have 
caused a little digression from my wilderness state, men- 
tioned before, which I now return to. 

After much searching without amongst those who 
proved to me physicians of no value and miserable com- 
forters, I betook myself to a lonesome and retired life, 
breathing after and seeking the Lord in the fields and 
private places, beseeching Him that He would bring me 
to the saving knowledge of His truth ; and blessed be the 
name of the Lord now and for ever, I had not sought Him 
long with all my heart, before I met with His inward 
appearance to me, in and by His Holy Spirit, Light, and 
Grrace; but when the true light did begin to shine more 
clearly, and the living witness did arise in my inward 
man, oh ! then my undone, bewildered, and miserable con- 
dition began to appear, and then great and unutterable 
were my conflicts and the distress I was in: I thought no 
man's condition upon the face of the whole earth was like 
mine; I thought I was not fit to die, neither did I know 
how to live ; I thought in the evening, oh ! that it was 
morning ; and in the morning, oh ! that it was evening. I 
had many solitary walks in the fields and other places, in 
which I many times poured out my complaints and cries 
before the Lord, with fervent supplications to Him that 



8 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

He would look upon my afflictions and tlie strong temp- 
tations I was then under, and that He would rebuke the 
adversary of my soul and deliver it, for I even thought it 
was in the jaws of a devouring lion and amongst the fiery 
spirits, and, as it were, under the weight of the mountains. 
Read and understand the afflictions of thy brother, thou 
that hast come through great tribulations, and hast washed 
and made thy garments white in the blood of the Lamb : 
this is the beginning of that baptism which doth save, 
and of that washing of regeneration and renewing of the 
Holy Ghost, which the Lord sheds upon the believers in 
abundance ; this is the blood which sprinkleth the heart 
from an evil conscience, that the children of men, thus 
changed, may serve the living and true God; this is the 
life which converts the world, even as many as are con- 
verted; this is the virtue, life* and blood which maketh 
clean the saints' garments, and inwardly washeth them 
from all filthiness, both of flesh and spirit. I found this 
was and is He of whom it is said, by Him were all things 
made, and He is the Lord of all: a man ought to be ser- 
vant to Him, and all things in man ; subservient to Him 
who commands and comprehends all things, in whom all 
the types and shadows also do end, or are fulfilled. Read 
this, thou virgin daughter, or clean Church of Christ, the 
rock of thy strength, whose name to thee is as precious 
ointment poured forth; and because of the savour thereof, 
the virgins love him, and are under great obligations to 
obey and follow him, the Lamb of God, wheresoever he 
leadeth. 

Although I had seen many things and had divers 
openings, yet great were my trials, and many were the 
temptations I met with in those days, for I lived at a dis- 
tance from Friends and meetings, which made my exer- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 9 

cise the harder, as will more fully hereafter appear in the 
course of my travels and pilgrimage in this vale of tears 
and troubles, and some of them not very common ; but the 
Lord helped me through them all, blessed be His name 
for ever. 

I now came to witness that Scripture to be fulfilled 
which saith, that when the Lord's judgments are in the 
earth, or earthly hearts of men, the inhabitants learn 
righteousness. And notwithstanding there was an aver- 
sion in my wild nature to the people in scorn called Qua- 
kers, as also to the name itself, yet when the afflicting 
hand of the Lord was upon me for my disobedience, and 
when, like Ephraim and Judah, I saw in the light my 
hurt and my wound, I bemoaned myself, and mourned 
over that just principle of light and grace in me, which I 
had pierced with my sins and disobedience ; and although 
that ministration of condemnation was glorious in its time, 
yet great were my troubles, which humbled my mind and 
made me willing to deny myself of every thing which the 
light made known in me to be evil, I being in great dis- 
tress and wanting peace and assurance of the love of Grod 
to my soul; the weight of which so humbled my mind that 
I knew not of any calling, people, practice, or principle 
that was lawful and right, which I could not embrace or 
fall in with. This was surely like the day of Jacob's 
troubles and David's fears. I saw that the filth of Sion 
was to be purged away by the spirit of judgment and of 
burning : this is the way of the deliverance and recovery 
of poor men out of the fall, and the time of the restoration 
of the kingdom to Grod's true Israel. Read ye that can, 
and understand. This was the day of my baptism into 
the love of God and true faith in His beloved Son, as also 
into a feeling of, or sympathy with, him in his sufferings, 



10 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

which were unutterable; and I found that ministration 
changed, — that which had been unto death was now unto 
life; and the ministration which was of condemnation unto 
the first birth, when that was slain and in a good degree 
nailed or fastened to the cross of Christ, the power of God, 
then the good prevailed over the evil, and working out the 
evil in the mind and also in the members, made all good 
or holy. The Lord's living power and consuming, burn- 
ing Word, when it works and prevails, it brings into sub- 
jection and maketh the very heart or ground holy in men. 
Whereas there had been an aversion in me to the 
people called in scorn Quakers, and also to their strict 
living and demeanour, plainness of habit and language, 
none of which I learned from them ; for when the Lord 
changed my heart. He also changed my thoughts, words, 
and ways, and there became an aversion in me to vice, 
sin, and vanity, as there had been to the ways of virtue ; 
but having tasted of the terrors and judgments of Grod 
because of sin, I was warned to flee from such things as 
occasioned Christ's coming, not to bring peace upon the 
earth, but a sword; a sword indeed, yea, his heart-pene- 
trating, searching Word, which is sharper than any two- 
edged sword, that pierceth to the cutting or dividing 
asunder between flesh and spirit, joints and marrow; and 
thus I came to see and abhor the evil in myself. When 
such who had been my companions in vanity reviled me, or 
came in my way, I was often moved to warn and reprove 
them, having, as before hinted, tasted of the terrors of the 
Lord for sin, I could not well forbear* to warn others to flee 
such things as I had been judged for. Now I came 
clearly to be convinced about the hat-honour, bowing the 
knee, the corrupt language, as well as finery in habit; all 
which for conscience sake, and the peace thereof, I came 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 11 

to deny and take up the cross to, and had great peace in 
so doing. 

Although the blessed truth prevailed in me, yet not- 
withstanding, I was not without great conflicts of spirit, 
temptations, and trials of divers kinds; nevertheless, my 
mind was resigned to the Lord, and my fervent prayers 
were to Him, and He kept me and opened my under- 
standing, for I was afraid of being misled in any thing, 
especially relating to my salvation : I came to be weaned 
from all my companions and lovers which I had taken de- 
light and pleasure in, and all things in this world were 
little to me, my mind being much redeemed out of the 
world, and not only the corrupt and evil part thereof, but 
even from the lawful part; so that my heart and mind 
became much inclined and given up to seek the Lord, 
waiting upon Him to feel His presence and peace, and to 
know His will and receive power to do the same. 

As thus my mind came to be brought into a depending 
and waiting frame upon the Lord, and to be stayed in the 
light, and experimentally and feelingly to partake of His 
love and grace, which helped me against my infirmities, 
(blessed be His name!), I found it sufficient for me, as I 
kept to it, in all trials and temptations; then I came to 
see, that all the outward performances in matters of re- 
ligion did not avail nor render man acceptable to God, 
but as the heart came to be truly given up to Him, that 
He might not only purge it from defilement, but keep it 
clean through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit; and as 
near as I remember, I saw clearly through these things 
before the fifteenth year of my age; although, between 
the death of my father and this time, I took liberty to go 
among what people I would, my mother giving us great 
liberty, although she was a woman wel] accounted of 



12 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

among all people who knew her, and not undeservedly, 
for her industry and fair dealing concerning the things of 
this world. 

After this time I attended the meetings of the Lord's 
people, called Quakers, as diligently as my circumstances 
would well admit. My mother being left with five chil- 
dren, I had only one sister that was older than myself, and 
three brothers younger, the youngest about three years old 
when my father died, he leaving but little of this world 
to bring us up with ; yet my parents always had as much 
as kept them above contempt, and nobody lost by them ; 
but I found myself under a necessity to work hard for 
my own support, the help of my mother, and education 
of my brothers, more especially as my sister died soon 
after. 

We being left on a farm of grazing, and part husbandry 
or tillage, did well as to the things of this world, yet I 
cannot well omit mentioning one thing which became a 
great exercise to me, which was thus : my mother married 
one that was zealous for the Presbytery, and I being 
much against it, showed my dislike to the marriage, and 
told my mother, I was afraid that she had too much an 
eye to what he had, for he was counted rich as to this 
world ; but if she thought to augment our portions in so 
marrying, the hand of the Lord would be against her, and 
a blasting or mildew would come upon even that which 
we had got through industry and hard labour, and what 
the Lord had intended to have blessed to us, if we kept 
faithful to the truth, and contented ourselves with our pre- 
sent conditions. Then my mother confessed, that as to 
the worldly enjoyments, it had not been better with her 
than now. I must write with great caution ; she was my 
mother, and a tender mother over me, and was loth to 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 13 

offend me, and had promised, as far as she well durst, not 
to marry with any one with whom I was not satisfied. But 
as to their procedure in courtship and marriage, from this 
time I was entirely ignorant, until it was accomplished. 
But when my poor mother was married, her cry was, My 
son, how shall I ever be able to look him in the face any 
more, it will be such a trouble to him; he that hath not 
at any time disobliged me, but if I bid him go, he ran ; 
and if I bid him do any thing, he did it with all his 
might ; or to that effect, as several told me who heard her. 
But she being married, what we had was mixed with my 
father-in-law's goods, and my mother died first, and our 
father married again, made his will, and dying, left me 
five shillings for all my part, which was of right to de- 
scend from my own parents upon me ; I gave his execu- 
tors a receipt in full, and there was an end of all, except 
some small matter given to my youngest brother, for the 
rest of my brothers and sisters were dead. As near as I 
remember, this marriage was in the eighteenth year of my 
age, so that what I foresaw about the blast and mildew 
came to pass. 

Now to return to my further account concerning the 
troubles and trials that attended me in the time while I 
was in my father-in-law and mother's house, after mar- 
riage, we, and what we had, being removed to his house, 
except part of the stock which was left in the ground. 
Now I foresaw that I was like to come to a great trial, 
and I was brought very low, what with the trouble about 
the marriage, and the exercise of my mind concerning my 
own condition, having had many great conflicts of spirit, 
so that I was almost in despair. Had not the Lord, in 
whom I believed, risen in His power, and rebuked the 
adversary of my soul, I had been overthrown, and swal- 

2 



14 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

lowed up in the floods of the temptations that were cast 
out of the mouth of the red fiery-like dragon after me, in 
this the day of my great and strong trouble and travail ; 
but the God of lore and pity saw me, and helped me in 
my distress, and in a day and time acceptable. He that 
heard poor Ishmael when he cried from under the shrub, 
and sent or gave relief to him and his mother, who with 
him was gone from Abraham's house, saw me in this great 
strait. Also, when I came to my father's house, he being 
a man much given to family duties, of saying grace, &c., 
before and after meat, none of which I could comply with, 
except I felt evidently the Spirit of Truth to attend there- 
in, and open the heart and mouth into such duties. The 
first day I came to the house, being called to the table 
with all or most of our family, I thought. Is it now come 
to this ? I must either displease my Heavenly or earthly 
father. But oh ! the awfulness, or the deep exercise which 
was upon my spirit, and strong cries that ascended unto 
the Lord for my help and preservation that I might not 
offend Him. My father-in-law sat with his hat partly on 
and partly off, with his eyes fixed on me, as likewise mine 
were on him in much fear; so we continued as long or 
longer than he used to be in saying Grace, as they call it, 
but said nothing that we heard ', so at length he put on 
his hat again, to the wonder of the family; neither did he 
then, or ever after, ask me why I did not put off my hat; 
neither did he perform that ceremony all the time I stayed 
with him, which was about one year. Thus the Lord 
helped me, renowned be His great name now and forever. 
My father might seem for age, spirit, and understanding 
to have been much more than a match for me, a poor 
shrub ; but the Lord (who caused the pillar of the cloud 
to be bright and give light to Israel, and brought darkness 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 15 

upon the Egyptians, and fought against them, and for Is- 
rael) I believe touched and smote my poor father, that he 
could not rise up against that power the Lord helped me 
with. For it was not mine, but the Lord's doing; to Him 
be given the attributes of praise, salvation, and strength, 
now and forever. I saw clearly that there could not be 
any true and acceptable worship performed to God but 
what was in the Spirit and in the Truth, neither could 
any pray aright but as the Spirit helped them, — which 
teacheth how to pray, and what to pray for, and rightly 
prepares the mind, and guides it in the performance of 
every service which the Lord calls for from His children. 
I found my father-in-law was much displeased with my 
going to meetings, yet I could not see what way to appease 
his displeasure, except in being very diligent (which I 
was) in his business, rather beyond my ability, working 
very hard. It is almost incredible what my poor, little, 
weak body went through in those days, but all would not 
gain his love, for the longer I stayed with him, the more 
his love declined from me ; although I told him, he need 
not be uneasy about my wages, for I would leave that to 
himself I could not see what he could have against me, 
except my going to meetings; however, that was all he 
alleged. Now when his former stratagems would not do, 
he offered me a horse to ride on, if I would go with him 
to his place of worship. I met with many a snub and 
sour countenance from him, in my return on foot from 
meetings, although as seasonably as my body was capable 
of performing; for my father commonly sent me on the 
First-day mornings into the fields a mile or two, and as 
far upon a common to look at beasts, horses, and sheep (all 
this on foot), I thought with a design to weary and make 
me incapable of going to meetings ; all which I bore pa- 



16 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

tiently, neither, that I remember, ever said, this is hard 
usage ; after all this, to the great grief of my poor mother, 
I had to go two, three, four, five, and sometimes six miles, 
to Friends' meetings. After I had walked fast, and ran 
sometimes with my shoes under my arms for want of time, 
I have seen many Friends weep and could not forbear, 
when they saw me come into the meeting very hot and 
in a great sweat, they being in part sensible of the hard 
task I had to undergo. 

There is one thing somewhat remarkable, which was 
thus : one First-day morning when I was about going to 
the meeting, my father said, if I would ride upon such 
a young mare, as he mentioned, I might; which was one 
of the greatest of ten or twelve horses which he kept, 
about four years old, and not before rode at all. I thought 
his design was more to hinder me of the meeting than any 
good to me, or any expectation of getting his mare rightly 
broke, but I accepted his offer, only asking how I might 
catch her ? Having got help to answer that, she being 
abroad, I put on the bridle and mounted the topping beast, 
and upon her first resistance, down she came; for that was 
my way ; and if the first or second fall did not, the third 
mostly cured them from striving to throw the rider. I 
commonly fell upon my feet, and endeavoured so to free 
my legs that she might not fall upon them, and then 
sprang up on her back while down, and made her rise with 
me ; so away we went, and came in due time to the meet- 
ing. This was partly the beginning of this way of man- 
aging horses by me ; so I rode to the meetings two or three 
times, and then my father asked me, if the mare did not 
carry me soberly ? I replied, she did ; then I must have 
her n.0 more, he would make her his saddle-mare ; so I 
betook myself to my feet again, except some other such 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 17 

like turn came. The Lord's mighty power bore me up, 
and He gave me as it were hind's feet, and enabled me to 
go through these exercises, and to bear the burden in the 
heat of the day of my trials, inwardly and outwardly, 
which were many and various. 

Now the last stratagem my father used to hinder my 
going to meetings was thus : he took me in his arms in 
great show of kindness, saying. If I would be as a son to him, 
I should find he would be a father to me, expressing some- 
thing about his having no near kindred (and much more 
to the same effect he said to my brother Daniel, who was 
an innocent, wise, and clean-spirited lad) : I replied to him, 
If in thus making me thy son, thou intends to hinder me 
from going to meetings, or to oblige me to go with thee to 
the Presbyterian meetings, or any thing that is against 
my conscience, I cannot upon this bottom be thy son; and 
for the same reasons, I refused to be his hired servant, 
although he offered to hire me and give me wages. Now 
when he saw that neither frowns, threatenings, hardships, 
nor great promises of kindness could prevail with me, he 
told me bluntly and roughly, I should stay no longer in 
his house. I innocently answered, I could not help it if it 
must be so, as all that I could do would not give him con- 
tent, without hurting my conscience, and the peace of 
my mind, which I valued above all mutable things of this 
world. My poor mother heard my pleading with him, and 
how I offered to do the best for him I was capable of, by 
night or day (as I always had done), if he would be easy, 
and let me have his countenance ; but this was the sen- 
tence. No, I should not stay in the house : and indeed that 
troubled my poor mother so, that I was forced to leave my 
father and go to endeavour to mitigate her great trouble, 
by telling her, that if I was but faithful, the Lord, I be- 

2* 



18 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

lieved, would take care of me that I should not want; and 
the more fully to discharge myself, I reminded her, that 
as she had entered into marriage covenants with her hus- 
band, she should endeavour to perform them, and in every 
thing faithfully to discharge herself as a wife ought to do 
to a husband, and leave me and all and cleave to him, and 
to make her life as easy as she could. I also told her, 
never to send me any thing that my father knew not of, 
for I was not free to receive it ; although what we had was 
in his hand, and all sunk there, as I mentioned before. 

I write this partly, that all who do marry, may take 
special heed that it be done with great caution, and under 
due consideration, and the Lord sought to in it; that it 
may be done in His counsel, and not only nominally, but 
truly in His fear, and then no doubt but it will be well 
with both husband and wife ; and being equally yoked, 
such will not only be meet and true helpers in all things 
belonging to this life, but more especially in things apper- 
taining to the world that is to come and the good of the 
immortal soul, which to the faithful people of the Lord is 
of great value. Oh, how happily and peaceably do such 
live together in the Lord, as they keep to that which thus 
joined them ! There is more in it, both as to the parents 
and their posterity, than it is to be feared many consider 
or think of, as is but too apparent in the many forward 
and unequal marriages which I have made observation of. 

One remarkable passage occurs to my thoughts, which 
happened thus : my father having been at the Presbyterian 
meeting and come home, he, as his manner was, put me 
or my brother upon reading the priest's text, which had 
been that day in Daniel, concerning his being cast into the 
den of lions for his not regarding the king's decree, but, 
on the contrary, prayed to the Grod of heaven with his 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 19 

windows open toward Jerusalem, after his wonted manner. 
My father made his observations as my brother read, and 
very much magnified Daniel, and said, The Spirit of God 
was in him, but that there were none such as him in these 
our days. I owned that he was indeed an extraordinary 
man, but that there were none endowed with a measure of 
the same spirit in any degree, in that I dissented from 
him, and gave my father a brief account of the many suf- 
ferings of our Friends, some of which were past, and some 
then under sufferings for the Word of God and the testi- 
mony of Jesus, which they bore for him, and especially 
the great sufferings of our dear friends in New England, 
viz. : hard imprisonments, cruel whippings, cutting-off ears, 
banishment if they returned into New England any more; 
and I showed him likewise, how they put to death Mar- 
maduke Stephenson, William Robinson, William Leddra, 
and Mary Dyer, for no other cause but labouring to turn 
people from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan 
to the living power of God, to His Light, Grace, and Holy 
Spirit in their hearts, and labouring to bring the people 
from persecution, pride, and every evil work and way, to 
live a self-denying, humble life, a life agreeable to the 
Christianity they professed, — this was the purport or sub- 
stance of the service they were called to, and so deeply 
suffered for : from whence I inferred, there was somewhat 
of the Spirit of God in man in these days as there was in 
Daniel, and many more formerly, which helped and bore 
them up in their great sufferings. Now my father con- 
fessed, it was true some suffered for good, and some for 
evil ; and withal said, he had now lived to the age of about 
sixty-five years, and although he heard us telling of a 
principle, or light within, yet he knew not what it was. 
I replied very meekly, if lie would hear me, I would tell 



20 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

him what it was ; which I did in the words following : 
When at any time thou hast been under a temptation to 
put forth thy hand to steal, or to lie for advantage, or by 
provocation to swear, or any evil work or word, hast not 
thou found something in thee that hath showed thee thou 
oughtest not to have said or done so, which if thou hadst 
taken heed to, and not said or done wrong, hast thou not 
found great peace and inward comfort in thy mind ? But 
if thou hast said or done wrong, hast not thou found great 
disquietness and trouble of mind ? This is the inward 
principle, light, or grace, that Grod hath placed in man to 
help and direct him, which we the people of Grod, called 
Quakers, do hold agreeable to the Holy Scriptures. My 
father smote his hands together, and confessed it was true. 
But that I was not willing to break in upon this story, 
but keep it entire, there was one thing worthy of notice, 
which I now come to, wishing it may be duly considered 
by all who read or hear it : when I mentioned Marmaduke 
Stephenson, that good man and great sufferer in the cause 
of Christ, as before, my mother said, it was true ; for she 
lived a servant with Edward Wilberfoss, an honest Quaker 
in Skipton, where Marmaduke Stephenson was a day-la- 
bourer, about the time he had his call to go to New Eng- 
land. See the account of New England judged, not by 
man as man, but by the Spirit of the living Grod, written 
by George Bishop. If I remember right, she said, He was 
such a man as she never knew, for his very countenance 
was a terror to them, and he had a great check upon all 
the family : if at any time any of the servants had been 
wild, or any way out of the truth, if they did but see him, 
or hear him coming, they were struck with fear, and were 
all quiet and still ; and if but one of the children came into 
the house where he laboured, and he would not have it to 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 21 

come, these were his words, Go thy way, or go home, lest 
I whip thee; and they were subject and quiet. This am- 
ple and excellent account, I thought, had some reach upon 
my father; however, it much affected my mind. Oh ! that 
we, the professors of the same Holy Truth, may so live in 
it, as to reign over every wrong thing in ourselves and also 
in others, but especially in our children. 

Some little time before the marriage of my mother, I 
was brought into the public work of the ministry, con- 
cerning which I had many reasonings, being young, scarce 
eighteen years old, and naturally of a stammering tongue, 
which I could not overcome, although I had used what 
endeavours lay in my power as a man, considering my 
years and education, all would not do until the Truth 
helped me; but after many conflicts, great troubles and 
temptations, the worst I ever met with, and the most pier- 
cing sorrow I ever had yet been in since I came to the 
knowledge of the blessed Truth was, when through reason- 
ings, disobedience, and unwillingness to comply with and 
answer the Lord's requirings, He in displeasure took away 
from me the comfort of His Holy Presence for several 
months together. Oh ! the tribulations and penetrating- 
troubles I met withal in this condition; no tongue is able 
to express, no, nor the heart of any finite creature is able 
to conceive the depth of the anxiety of the heart-piercing 
and wounding sorrows I was in. I thought my state was 
as bad as Jonah's, for surely if there be a hell upon earth, 
I was in it : what greater hell can be here to a quickened 
soul and an enlightened understanding, who has tasted of 
the goodness of Grod, and of the powers, in a degree, of the 
world to come, than to be deprived thereof, and think they 
are fallen away from this state? I could scarcely believe 
I should ever have repentance granted to me, or be re- 



22 LIFE or JOHN RICHARDSON. 

stored again into the love and favour of God. when I found 
that Kiver of Life dried up, as to me, which did before 
not only make me, but even all the whole City of God, truly 
glad ; but being left under an apprehension of the Lord's 
displeasure, and in part a partaker of the terrors of His 
wrath, oh ! I thought, surely the very mountains, and 
even the hills, were not sufficient (if they could have been 
put into the scales or balance) to have weighed against my 
troubles and afflictions, they were so great; but as the 
Lord had by His judgments brought me in a good degree 
from the vice and vanity of this world, now by His judg- 
ments He made me willing to give up to answer His re- 
quirings in part, and in my obedience to Him I began to 
feel some comfort of love and fellowship of the Spirit of 
the Lord in myself and in His people, who were brought 
to be partakers of the like fellowship. 

Now I return to the matter about my being turned out 
of my father's house, which I mentioned before, but was 
willing to keep this solemn account entire, with desires it 
may be a caution to all in whom the Lord is at work in 
the same manner, not to reason or gainsay so much as I 
did, but to give up freely and cheerfully to the will of 
God. When I saw I must turn out, I thought it expe- 
dient to acquaint some worthy Friends with it, lest any un- 
due reflections should be cast upon the Truth, or Friends, 
or myself, that if so, these Friends might be able to con- 
tradict them; so I acquainted Sebastian Ellethorp, and 
that worthy man and minister of the Gospel Benjamin 
Padley, two of the chief Friends in Ellington Monthly- 
meeting, and they came to my father's house, and when 
they came, they began to enquire about the reasons why I 
went away, and, if my father had any thing against me 
concerning the business he employed me in ; and whether 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 23 

I was not faithful and diligent in all his affairs he sent me 
about? He confessed, I was; and thought none could 
exceed me. They said, Well then, what is the reason of 
that misunderstanding which is betwixt thee and thy son- 
in-law ? Is it about his going to meetings ? When they 
understood his reasons, which were not hard to do, they 
expressed a pity toward me that I could have no more 
liberty; and they thought, as I was so diligent in his 
business, if he would give me a little more liberty to go to 
meetings, it would be more encouragement to me. At 
which he took offence, and gave the good men rough lan- 
guage, and asked. What they had to do with him and his 
son ? and bid them go home and mind their own business ; 
which they were much troubled at, especially for my sake, 
and much pitied me, and wondered how I had lived with 
him so long ; for he said in short, that there was no abiding 
for me there. But Sebastian Ellethorp told me, which was 
mightily to my comfort, that my father had nothing against 
me, save that concerning the law of my Grod. This is the 
sense, if not the words, of these wise and good men, which 
passed betwixt them and my father, as they expressed 
them to me ; for I was not there when they were together. 
Notwithstanding I pleaded with my father to let me 
stay until I could hear of a place, he would not, though 
I was scarce fit for service, being almost like an anatomy 
(as the saying is), so that most who knew me, said, I would 
pine away in a consumption ; but turn out I must, and did, 
though I was weak, poor, and low in body, mind, pocket, 
and clothes; for I think I had but twelve pence in my 
pocket, and very ordinary clothes upon my back. Thus I 
took my solemn leave of the family, with my heart full, 
but I kept inward to the Lord, and under Truth's govern- 
ment. Many tears were shed in the family, especially by 



24 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

my poor mother, when I left them. My father said little, 
but appeared like one struck with wonder, to see so much 
love manifested toward me by the family, and so much 
wishing that I might not go away 3 but out I came upon 
the great common aforementioned, where I had had many 
solitary walks, but none like this, for this reason, that I 
knew not where to go. I then thought of Abraham who 
was called out of Ur in the land of the Chaldeans, as it is 
briefly mentioned by Stephen ; but this was the diff"erence 
betwixt us, he was called, I was forced out. But as I was 
walking upon the common, the sense of my weak condition, 
not knowing whither to go, nor where to lay my head; 
although I had many friends, yet I could not be free to go 
to them, unless I had known they had business for me, 
being not of a forward, but rather backward and shy dis- 
position, — I say, the sense and weight of my condition 
came over me to that degree, that it appeared to me as 
though my way was hedged up on every side, inwardly and 
outwardly. I even thought myself like a pelican in the 
wilderness, or as an owl in the desert, there appearing to 
me scarce a man in all the earth in my condition, every 
way considered ; and in the sense and deep consideration 
of my present wilderness state, I felt myself under great 
oppression of spirit, and my heart seemed full, like a bottle 
that wanted vent. I looked round about me to see that 
none were near to see my tears nor hear my cries, and in 
the very anguish and bitterness of my soul I poured forth 
my complaints, cries, and tears to the Judge of all the earth, 
who spoke to me and comforted me in this my deplorable 
state, which was worse than Jacob's when he lay upon the 
ground, and had a stone for his pillow; he had his near 
kindred to go to, whom he might expect would receive 
him gladly, but I had none to go to but such as rather 



LIFE. OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 25 

reviled me, and gave me hard language ; but the Lord said 
unto me, as if a man had spoke. First seek the kingdom of 
heaven and the righteousness thereof, and all these things 
that thou standeth in need of shall be given unto thee. 
I then desired He would please to show me the place I 
should go to ; and the Lord opened my way, and showed 
me the house I should go to and abide in for a time. I 
said, Grood is the word of the Lord : I believed, and it was 
a great means to stay my mind, and settle it in the Truth, 
with full purpose of heart to follow the Lord and obey 
His requirings, according to the knowledge and ability 
given me ; yet reasonings attended me. Two things espe- 
cially stood in my way, yea, three, things were a let to me, 
for soon after I came to the Friend's house in South Cliff, 
viz., William Allon by name, I bound myself to him to 
learn his trade of a weaver, and after I was bound, I found 
this good man loved me, and I loved him to the day of his 
death : and he often said. He was blessed for my sake and 
all that appertained unto him ; for when I went to him he 
was very poor, but he increased very considerably after I 
went to live with him. 

I come now to the particulars which stood in my way 
of answering the Lord's commands so fully as sometimes 
I should have done : first, a violent humour fell into one 
of my legs soon after I was bound apprentice, which I with 
others thought was much occasioned by hard usage, heats, 
and colds, and many surfeits, even from my infancy; which 
lameness held me about two years, and I suffered much by 
the said leg, and it much discouraged and disabled me. 
The second hindrance was, my low circumstances in the 
world, which very few knew of, because the common fame 
was (and not without some truth) that I had rich parents. 
I have given an account already how they were circum- 

3 



26 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

stanced, and so I leave them at present and proceed, but 
few knew the straits I met withal ; yet my truly religious 
master, if he understood any thing was upon my mind to 
go to visit any meeting or meetings, he would say, Take 
my mare and go thy way, and be not uneasy, neither about 
the mare nor business, nor do not hasten thyself. These 
kindnesses made me often thoughtful how I might return 
suitable acknowledgments, and be duly grateful for the 
same : I was diligent in my master's business, not serving 
him with eye-service, but faithfully ; believing it good and 
acceptable in the sight of Grod, and I had great peace in 
it. My master never found fault with me for doing too 
little, but often for doing too much, and would sometimes 
say, I think thou wilt cleave to the beam; come off and let 
us walk into the fields and see how things are theie. Now 
as to the third hindrance, the account of which I was not 
willing to have interwoven with matters of less moment, 
although the healing of my very sore leg I attribute to the 
great and good providence of God ; for in a short time after 
I gave up freely and cheerfully to answer the Lord's re- 
quirings, the Lord healed me of my lameness ; and when 
I cried unto Him, that He would also heal my tongue of its 
stammering, believing that the Lord was as able to take 
away the impediment of my tongue as He was to stop the 
violence of that humour which had attended my body, and 
had a recourse to my leg, and made it sore from above the 
ankle to the knee ; and notwithstanding several men had 
given their advice, and had showed their skill, it all proved 
ineffectual, until I came to believe in Jesus Christ, and to 
press through all to him, and to touch the skirt, or lowest 
appearance of his blessed truth and power, in which I 
found true healing virtue to my soul and also to my body, 
and to my tongue, even to my admiration; so that I did 



LIFE OP JOHN RICHARDSON. 27 

not only speak plain in the testimony the Lord gave me 
to bear, but also spoke plain in my common intercourse 
with men. 

I was likewise in these days under the dispensation of 
openings and visions, and thought myself as it were upon 
Mount Pisgah, and saw into the holy land, and into things 
relating to God and His heavenly kingdom, and into His 
work and way of bringing man out of the fall and aliena- 
tion to Himself again, and into a heavenly state in Christ, 
as man yields true obedience unto the leadings and opera- 
tion of His blessed grace and Holy Spirit in the heart. 
But under such dispensations it is requisite, yea, of abso- 
lute necessity, that man be brought into true self-denial, 
as also into a depending frame of mind and true resigna- 
tion of will to the will of Grod, and a daily sitting as in 
the dust as to the motions and workings of the creature 
as such, — for all that is of man's working, or work, does 
but let or hinder the spiritual work of God in the heart ; 
and we must come truly to know all fleshly motions and 
the workings in man's own will and spirit to be silenced 
to hear the voice of God, which is a still small voice, and 
not to be heard in the noise and hurries of the world, 
neither when the mind is busied with things agreeable to 
our own corrupt wills and depraved nature. 

But although at times I had clear sights into many 
heavenly things, and also had at times comfortable enjoy- 
ments of the living presence of God, yet I wanted to be 
more established in the unchangeable Truth, which I had 
at times some comfortable feeling of; and in crying to the 
Lord, I found He inclined unto me, and, as David said, 
He heard my cries, and plucked my feet out of the mire 
and clay, and set them upon a rock that was higher than 
I, and in part established my goings, and put a new song 



28 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

into my moutli, even liigh praises unto the Lord for all 
His tender mercies to me in these trying times ; and now 
being more crucified to the world, and the spirit of it, I 
witnessed a more constant indwelling of the heavenly 
power and living presence, light, and grace. I came to 
be brought into stillness, and it became most agreeable to 
my condition to keep much in silence, and wait upon the 
Lord for the renewing of strength, that thereby I might 
surmount all temptations and trials that might fall in 
my way, or which I might be tried with, which were not 
a few. 

Now these things before recited are worthy of com- 
memoration, and proved great confirmations to me in the 
truth, in these days of my tribulations and great trials : 
read and believe thou that canst, for they are faithful and 
true sayings. After the Lord had healed me. He sent me 
forth in the work of the ministry, and the first journey I 
took southward was into Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, 
and through Coventry, and so to Warwick to see William 
Dewsbury. One thing is remarkable upon William's in- 
quiry what way I came ? In my account of the particular 
towns and places I had passed through, I mentioned Cov- 
entry, which was the last and the worst: for some of the 
rude people flung stones at me as I was speaking in the 
meeting, with great violence, so that had the Lord suffered 
them to have hit me, they must have spoiled me ; but my 
faith in the Lord and the strength of the Truth bore up 
my mind above fear of the outward man or what wicked 
men could do to me. After William had heard my account, 
he fixed his eyes on me and said. Thou must go back again 
to Coventry. I appeared unwilling, for two reasons : first, 
because I thought I had cleared myself of that people ; 
secondly, I thought it not safe to run myself into danger 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 29 

of suffering, unless I was satisfied the Lord required it of 
me. But William was , positive, and said I must go, for 
there was a service for me to do there. Upon a deliberate 
consideration of the matter, and a seeking to the Lord to 
know His will in it, I found my way clear to go, and I had 
some service and good satisfaction, and left Friends nearer 
to one another than when I first met with them ; for there 
had been a misunderstanding amongst some Friends in 
that city: so I came from thence to Tamworth, were there 
was a difference, especially betwixt two Friends ; both of 
them had been such as had made some considerable figure 
among Friends. I felt it upon me to go to the man, to 
warn him of the spirit of prejudice and envy, for if he 
gave way to it, it would eat out his love to Friends and 
Truth, and he would decline meetings and come to nought, 
and turn his back on ih.e Truth ; which came to be fulfilled, 
as I afterwards heard, for he became a loose man, and en- 
listed himself to be a soldier. I was zealous for the name 
of the Lord, and had a great concern upon my mind for 
the promulgation of the Truth, and where I met with loose 
professors of the Truth, it was a great exercise to me. 

When I returned home from this, and indeed from all 
my journeys, I took care what I well could, so far as my 
weak body was capable, to fall into business, and not to 
loiter away my time, neither abroad nor at home. My weak 
constitution would not well bear the weaving-trade, there- 
fore I left it much against my will ; but I wrought upon 
clock and watch work, and many other things, which sup- 
plied my necessities, the Lord allowing me as much time 
at home as put me in a condition reasonably fit for travel, 
and then I was inclined to go to visit Friends. Many 
things I omit, because I am not willing to swell my ac- 
count too much. I travelled through most parts of Eng- 

3* 



30 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON, 

land four times, and twice througli most parts of Wales, 
between the twentieth and twenty-eighth year of my age. 
After the Lord had opened my heart, and I came in 
part to understand the Holy Scriptures, and to have a 
feeling of that Holy Spirit in which the holy penmen 
wrote them, and a sympathy with the spirits and exercises 
of the righteous therein mentioned, I took great delight 
in reading them, and having a good memory, could there- 
by the better deal with priests and with professors. I 
had many disputes and reasonings with priests and pro- 
fessors, of several denominations, both in Yorkshire and 
other parts in my travels, so that, through these disputes 
and much reading, my mind was rather too much in the 
letter, and not altogether so much in spirit and in power 
as it should have been ; for which I met with a gentle 
caution from the Lord, which was thus : I heard a voice 
(from the Lord) as plain as if one had spoke to my out- 
ward ear, The fowls of the air lodge in the branches. This 
being repeated to me, I besought the Lord to show me 
what was the meaning of that voice which I heard ; and 
the Lord, the mighty God, showed me in His condescend- 
ing love, that the Scriptures, even all of them which were 
written as the holy men were moved of the Holy Ghost, 
sprung from the living root ; yet those who rested only in 
the letter, and came not to be acquainted with, and live in, 
aqd minister from the same Holy Spirit, are outward, dead, 
dry, airy, and foolish. This gentle check was of great 
service to me ; not so as to make me decline reading the 
Scriptures, but that I should not have overmuch depend- 
ency on them ; and to caution me against the neglect of 
waiting for the help of the Holy Spirit, the root and pure 
spring of the right and living ministry which reaches the 
heart, and carries the true evidence with it to the believers 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 31 

that it is of God ; which that of the letter cannot do of 
itself. I tenderly desire that all concerned in this great 
work of the ministry may not be ministers of the letter 
only, but of the Spirit also, and may speak in the demon- 
stration of the Spirit and of power. And let him that 
speaketh, speak as the oracle of Grod ; and he that minis- 
tereth, do it as of the ability that God giveth. This is the 
last and lasting ministry, which is after the order of Mel- 
chisedeck, and not after the order of Aaron, but in Jesus 
Christ the High Priest, the One offering, which makes per- 
fect for ever all who come to him through the drawings of 
the Father, — he is the one Lord, and there is but one true 
faith in him, and but one true and saving baptism into 
him, or into the likeness of his death : so as Christ died 
for sin, we may truly die to sin ; and as he was raised by 
the glory of the Father, so we may walk in newness of 
life, — the heavenly High Priest, holy, harmless, separate 
from sinners; and such a High Priest who was tempted, 
and knows how to succour such as are tempted : he is the 
Advocate with the Father, the Propitiation for the Sins of 
all, the true Guide and Comforter, the Leader of them into 
all Truth who obey and follow him ; although to the world 
a Reprover and a Swift Witness against all ungodliness 
and unrighteousness of men. 

My writing thus, from this gentle check, concerning 
the fowls and the branches, etc., is not with the least in- 
tention either to lessen the Holy Scriptures, or discourage 
any from reading them ', for I would have all true Chris- 
tians encouraged to be more conversant in them ; yet with 
this advice, kind reader, from thy well-wisher and true 
friend, to breathe to and truly seek after the Lord for a 
measure of His holy and blessed Spirit, the only key and 
best expositor to open and truly expound them to thee, as 



32 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

by the same Holy Spirit thy mind and understanding 
comes to be fitted and enlightened. And indeed the whole 
vessel must be brought into a preparation to hold the 
heavenly treasure, and not to mix the pure with the cor- 
rupt and impure ; for without this enlightening, preparing, 
opening, and sanctifying gift of God's Holy Grace and 
Spirit, man can neither know the heavenly power of God, 
nor yet the Holy Scriptures aright, as he ought to know 
them ', and for this reason it hath seemed good to God to 
hide these things from the learned, wise, and prudent of 
this world, that they should not pry into, nor find out 
the mysteries contained therein, unless they are sanctified 
and called of God thereto; and as no man knows the 
things of a man, save the spirit of a man that is in him, 
likewise the things of God are not perceivable by man 
without the help of the Holy Spirit of God in man. 

Thus the Lord opened to me the true meaning of the 
parable of the mustard-seed in this the time of my infancy 
as to the ministry, with which He sent me forth into the 
world, that my faith might stand in the Lord alone, the 
author and finisher, as well as giver of the true and saving- 
faith, even that faith which works by love, and gives vic- 
tory over the world : it was by and through the power, 
virtue, and efficacy of true faith, which is the gift of God, 
that the elders in former ages obtained, and now do obtain 
a good report ; it was in and through this gift, that worthy 
Abel with his offering was accepted of God, although he 
was envied of his earthly and evil-minded brother Cain, 
and also by him slain. The ever memorable Enoch, 
through the virtue of this holy gift, walked with God, as 
Himself gave witness that Enoch pleased Him : he walked 
so in fiiith and obedience even to the end, that he died 
not as men in common do. but was translated, or changed 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 33 

ill a peculiar manner. Come, read thou that canst, and 
understand thou that art redeemed out of (and hath over- 
come) the flesh and the powers of the first nature, the 
world and the devil, in a great measure, for thou knowest 
that it is by the operation of this gift that the dead in old 
Adam are raised to a new life and way of living in the 
new man ; and through this heavenly Adam, that is known 
to these to be a quickening spirit, agreeable to holy writ. 
Through faith the violence of fire was quenched, the 
mouths of lions have been stopped, the sword turned back- 
ward, the armies put to flight, even such as were aliens or 
strangers who outwardly fought against the Lord's people ; 
which sets before us as in a glass, how and what we are to 
overcome in this gospel-day, in which we are not to fight 
with men, but with our lusts, and overcome sin and Satan ; 
which is as great a victory as he obtained that overcame 
the rampant lions, who had dominion over the wicked, as 
sin and Satan have power and dominion over the wicked 
and ungodly to this day. Consider now in time, thou that 
readest these lines, whether Christ or Antichrist doth most 
predominate in thee ? whether Grrace or Sin most abound 
in thy mortal body? whether the Spirit of Truth, that 
leads into all Truth, or the spirit of Error, that leads into 
all Error and Untruth, is the most prevalent, and hath the 
greatest place in thy heart ? For to him whom thou art 
the most subject and yields thy members servants to, his 
servant thou art, and to him thou givest way and subjects 
thyself, and his servant thou wilt altogether come to be 
in time, and the wages due to his servants thou shalt have 
given to thee at the end of thy work • therefore consider 
in due time, while the day of thy visitation is continued 
unto thee, and the Lord is following and calling by His 
secret and inward checks and reproof, by which He dis- 



34 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

quiets thy mind, that although thou mayest take some plea- 
sure in vanity and wrong ways, when thou canst get over 
the just witness of Grod in thy own soul, yet while it strives 
with thee to convert and gather thee up out of earthly and 
fading pleasures, to have thy mind set upon heavenly 
things and take pleasure in them, thou wilt have no solid 
comfort in all thy lower enjoyments, but condemnation and 
anguish of soul will attend thee, until thou either gets 
over the witness or leaves the evil, is the experience of 
the Lord's people, who have been acquainted with the true 
and inward warfare, and also with the saints' victory. 
Read, and learn to follow Christ by the footsteps of the 
flocks of his companions, although it be through great 
tribulations, yet it is the way to have thy garments washed 
and made white in the mystical blood of the immaculate 
Lamb of God. This is he, as John the Baptist said, that 
taketh away the sins of the world. Happy is every one 
that truly putteth on his Lamb-like nature, his humility, 
righteousness, and purity, and is covered with his Holy 
Spirit, and lives and walks in and under the influence and 
conduct thereof to the end of time here, until we enter 
into immutability. 

Now to return from this digression to the historical 
part. When I had travelled much of the time between my 
going forth, which was from about the nineteenth year of 
my age unto about the twenty-seventh, then finding some 
little respite from the weight of that service, I inclined to 
settle a little closer to business, but had little to begin any 
calling with, being necessitated to leave my trade of weav- 
ing through lameness, as before mentioned, and I had been 
a sojourner some time at Whitby, Scarborough, and Brid- 
lington ; but upon seeking unto the Lord to know what 
place I might now settle in, though my great inclination 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 35 

was for Whitby, yet it sounded as in my ear, Bridlington, 
Bridlington is the place to settle in ; and in the cross I 
repaired thither and settled for some time, keeping a little 
shop and mended clocks and watches, as I had done for 
several years past at times. It was of good service my 
settling there, for the Lord began to work mightily, espe- 
cially amongst the young Friends, so that in a few years 
many had their mouths opened in testimony for the Lord, 
and a fine spring of heavenly ministers was in that Month- 
ly-meeting, the like I have not known in the like bounds, 
(for it is but a small Monthly-meeting, and hath been so 
ever since I knew it). For Truth did so mightily prosper, 
and Friends grew so in the ministry, that it became a pro- 
verb, that Bridlington was become a school of prophets. 
This mighty work of the Lord in these days, is worthy to 
be chronicled and remembered among His many worthy 
and noble acts. We had many heavenly and good meetings, 
praised and renowned be the worthy name of the Lord, 
now and for ever. 

We had but little discipline when I first settled in that 
place, but afterwards many Friends' hearts were stirred up 
in a holy zeal for the Lord, not only to promote meetings 
for worship, but also for good discipline in the church, and 
they began to see a necessity of coming up more in the 
practice of this very needful work ; although there were 
some that said, They could see no need of such close order 
and discipline : yet I found it to be my way in the Truth 
to bear with such, if they were not irregular in their con- 
versations ', but if they were disorderly, we dealt with them 
as the Lord opened our way in the wisdom of Truth ; and 
thus bearing with the easiness of some on the one hand, 
and encouraging the faithful and zealous on the other, 
way was made, beyond my expectation, for the spreading 



36 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

of the Truth, its testimony, and the discipline thereof in 
those parts. 

I had now travelled and laboured much in the Lord's 
work at home and abroad for about ten years, but had not 
in all that time found my way clear to marry, although 
not without some likely opportunity, and with such as were 
a great deal richer than she was whom I did marry; but 
I was afraid in this weighty affair to miss my way, know- 
ing the great difference there is between them who only 
profess, and they who possess the Truth, and them that 
are only in the first nature and unregenerated state (and 
strictly speaking, but the sons and daughters of men), 
and such who are born again, not of flesh and blood, nor 
indeed of any thing that is corruptible, but of that incor- 
ruptible Seed and living Word of Grod, which leads into 
a lively hope and brings forth a new and heavenly birth 
in man, that takes delight to please and obey the Lord in 
all thino-s, and so become sons, or children of God, in a 
more spiritual and nearer relation than that of creation 
only; it is in and through this great work of renovation, 
and being born again ; and as such live up to that Holy 
Seed and regenerating principle, and as the same doth 
predominate and rule in man, in this state man cannot 
sin, as the Apostle said, with this reason annexed, be- 
cause His Seed (to wit, the Seed of Grod) remaineth in 
him. Thus, walking in the Light, and living in the Seed, 
G-race. and Holy Spirit, (although the terms of it differ, 
the virtue and nature of it are undividable) such who come 
to be gathered to walk with and truly love Christ, the 
bridegroom of the soul, are brought into a greater nearness, 
truer sympathy, and unity of spirit than the world knows 
of. Eead this, you that are born again, and duly consider 
it in its proper time and place. I believe, and therefore 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 37 

truly speak it, the Lord gave me such a wife as really 
feared Him, loved Truth and righteousness, and all such 
as she thought loved, and especially such as lived in the 
Truth. Her name was Priscilla Cannaby, daughter of 
James Cannaby : she was descended of an honest family 
in the east part of Yorkshire, the only child her parents 
left, they were bakers by trade, and gave her a commend- 
able education, though they did not leave her any great 
portion. She was under the care of her uncle Charles 
Cannaby, of Bridlington, an honest Friend, who left some- 
thing behind him in manuscript concerning his convince- 
ment of the Truth, and sufferings for the same : he was 
convinced early, lived to a great age, and was a man of 
great service in those parts where he lived. 

I was in the twenty-eighth year of my age when I 
married my wife, who was a woman of an excellent tem- 
per, very affectionate, sober, and prudent, loved retirement 
much and waiting upon the Lord, and the enjoyment of 
His internal and living presence, and especially with the 
Lord's people, that they might also be made partakers with 
her of the like special favours, — this was as her crown and 
kingdom while in this world, even from her childhood; 
and to see Friends prosper in the Truth was matter of 
great rejoicing to her. When we had been married scarce 
three years, the Lord raised her up to bear a public testi- 
mony amongst Friends in their meetings, which was very 
comfortable and acceptable to them ', and also she had the 
Spirit of grace and supplication measurably poured upon 
her, so that many with me did believe she had access to 
the throne of Grod, and to that River which maketh truly 
glad the City of Grod. She always freely gave me up to 
answer the service I believed the Lord called for of me. 
She was taken from me when we had been married but 

4 



38 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

about five years, in the twenty-eighth year of her age, and 
died in a sweet frame of mind and was sensible to the last ; 
and her last words were. He is come, He is come, whom 
my soul loves, and my soul rejoices in God my Saviour, 
and my spirit magnifies Him, — and so passed away like a 
lamb, I believe, into a mansion of glory, where her inno- 
cent soul will for ever sing Hallelujah to the Lord God 
and the Lamb, who is worthy of glory, honour, salvation, 
and strength, now and for ever. 

I might enlarge much upon the virtue and worthiness 
of faithful Priscilla, but in this, as in other matters, it is 
my desire to avoid prolixity, yet would take notice of the 
most remarkable occurrences that have happened to me in 
the course of this my earthly pilgrimage ; also, I have been 
much pressed by some, and not of the least of my faithful 
brethren (likewise, I believe it to be my duty), to leave 
some remains to posterity for their encouragement and 
comfort in the way and work of the Lord. One thing is 
worthy here to be inserted, which had a strange and 
astonishing eff"ect upon my mind, which was thus : — 

As I was walking in a plain field in the fore part of the 
day, not far from the sea, betwixt Bridlington and Broyn- 
ton, my soul was in a deep concern, and at that time exer- 
cised in meditation on the things of God, and also in 
fervent prayers to Him for preservation from every hurt- 
ful thing, and a heavenly frame my mind was then 
brought into, for then I neither saw cloud over my mind 
nor yet any in the firmament, for it appeared to me a 
morning without clouds, though I had passed under many 
clouds. Soon after my mind was brought into this heav- 
enly frame, and as it were swallowed up in the heavenly 
and internal presence of the Lord, I thought a bright 
cloud came down and covered me, or caught me up into it, 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 39 

SO whether I was standing, walking, or set upon the 
ground, or carried up into the cloud in the body, or out 
of the body, I know not to this day ; yet fear and rever- 
ence, with bowing of soul, did possess me before the G-reat 
Majesty, at the glory of whose countenance, as I had it 
in a preceding vision, men and angels fled and gave way, 
and could not steadfastly behold the brightness and glory 
of the countenance of the Son of the Highest, with the 
mighty Grod and Father, which are one in power, great- 
ness, goodness, and glory, who was before all things, made 
all things, and uphold and fill all things that are good with 
that which is truly good, or at least is for a good end. 
Read this mystery thou that canst, and learn to fear Him 
that hath power over both soul and body, to kill and to cast 
into hell, for one time or another He will make thee fear 
Him, when He brings thy sins to judgment, whether it be 
now or hereafter. The time hath been, is, or will be, in 
which the Lord, the Judge of both quick and dead, hath, 
doth, or will plead with thee and all flesh, as in the val- 
ley of Jehosaphat ; therefore beware lest thou make Him 
wroth, as He was upon Mount Perizim ; but be thou sub- 
ject to the Lord, as faithful Moses was upon Mount Horeb, 
or the Mount of Grod, when he obeyed His voice, and put 
off his shoes, — do thou obey, if it be but to the putting 
away of the glory and wisdom of Egypt, or learning, or 
what else is required of thee. Oh ! then thou art in the 
way to further service, and wilt be enabled, as thou con- 
tinues faithful, to go through all to God's glory, and thy 
unspeakable peace in the end. 

Now as to the last part of the rapture or vision, when 
I was swallowed up in the luminous presence of Him that 
is first and last, the Alpha and Omega, I heard a voice, 
very intelligible to that sensation I had then given me, 



40 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

saying, Dost thou see how pride and wickedness abound 
in the nation ? I answered in much fear, Lord, I do see it. 
The next words which I heard in the voice and in the cloud 
were, The people are too many, — I will thin them, — I will 
thin them, — I will thin them. I desired of the Lord to 
show me whether it was His mind I should publish this 
in any part of the nation ? The South was set before me, 
with this caution. Where this is opened to thee in My 
power, there speak of it, and not otherwise. I gave up to 
answer the heavenly vision, and visited most parts of the 
southern counties, as also the northern parts, and Scotland -, 
and where the Lord opened my mouth to speak of what I 
had heard, as before, by way of prophecy, I gave up, but 
did not so much insist upon that matter as to suffer it to 
be a means to mislead me from that work of the ministry 
I was chiefly concerned in. I would that all who are con- 
cerned in the like manner may be cautious in this great 
affair, and look well to the rise and original from whence 
they receive this gift, and how ; and also what frame of 
mind they are in ; and that nothing of the warmth of their 
own spirits be set to work or stirred up, either by sight of 
the eye, or hearing, or reading outwardly, but that the 
mind may be redeemed from all workings, from these and 
the like grounds, and purely purged, and truly adapted or 
fitted to receive this gift or spirit of prophecy ; and also 
be sure to be very careful to be guidable in the gift, or 
otherwise thou mayest miss as to time and place, etc. I 
intend not to dwell long upon it, as there are other ser- 
vices included in this of prophecy, as edification and com- 
fort, etc., but what I have been upon, relates to foretelling 
something that is to come ; and, as once a worthy elder 
said to me, when I was young in the ministry, It is a great 
thing to know what, where, and when ; and I have ever 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 41 

found it true to this day. Learn of him that is (as he 
always was) meek and low of heart, and be not discour- 
aged, but persevere in faith and sincerity; and look not 
overmuch at the difficulty, but look over all to Him who 
hath called thee, and in some measure revealed His Son 
through the Spirit in thee. Although I know from some 
experience what it is to be exercised in the matter of pro- 
phecy, for in the journey touched of before, I was con- 
cerned to tell Friends at Kilmouck, in Scotland, especially, 
that the Lord would take many of them away ; which in 
a short time came to pass, for many died before that time 
twelve-month, it being a time of scarcity of corn, and it 
was thought many died for want of bread the year ensuing 
my being there. I had good service for the Lord and 
great satisfaction in these my long travels, as I had in the 
like before, in divers of which there were some convinced 
of Truth. 

At Cromer, in Norfolk, one Elizabeth Horry, when my 
mouth was opened, despised my youth, as she confessed 
afterwards ; but what I had to say so reached her condi- 
tion, that she shed many tears upon her fine silks, and 
confessed, before the meeting broke up, that all might 
hear, in these words, All that ever I have done hath been 
told me this day, and this is the everlasting Truth. And 
as I passed along from that meeting, not far from Cromer, 
with some other Friends, it rose in my heart to say aloud, 
that a man who was watering his horse might hear, look- 
ing and pointing my hand toward him, That man will be 
a Friend before he dies ; and, as he owned after, he was so 
struck with it, that he had no rest till he came among 
Friends, though he was then afar off, but he came to be a 
serviceable man among us, and his wife was also convinced 
of the Truth and was a serviceable woman. Samuel Hunt, 



42 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

of Nottingliam, was first reached at Leicester by tlie testi- 
mony I had given me to bear in that meeting at that time, 
as he acknowledged afterwards ; but I always gave God 
the glory, and laid the creature as in the dust, that man, 
as man, might not be too much accounted of. 

After my being caught up, and hearing the voice (as 
before mentioned), I had many deep and heavenly open- 
ings, some of which it may not be amiss to mention here, 
inasmuch as I had now a more clear sight into a translated 
state than ever I had before. I came, through a divine 
sense and participation, to have great sympathy and dear 
unity, not only with the ever memorable Enoch, whose 
walking was such that the Lord gave testimony or witness 
to, that he pleased Him, — the ground of which witness was 
from hence, he lived near and loved God, and walked in 
the ways of virtue and abhorred vice. — but also with the 
Apostle, having this seal. That God knoweth who are His; 
and with some other of the servants of Christ in former 
ages, who could say, as some now can say (from true ex- 
perience). That the Spirit of the Lord beareth witness 
with our spirits, that we are His, to wit, the Lord's child- 
ren, so long as we do well ; which last words are of large 
extent, to do well, think well, speak well, and believe well; 
for he that hath no faith, or that believes ill, cannot do 
well ; he that eats, drinks, or wears that which he knows 
he ought not, doth not well ; but what is done well, is done 
in a pure mind and clean conscience, for so is true faith 
held, and all acceptable work to God performed. I had 
great openings into the removal of Moses, and taking up 
Elijah, that great and worthy prophet, from the earth into 
heaven, and I have seen things not fit to be uttered, 
neither can the world yet believe them ; and I saw far into 
the mystery of the transfiguration of Christ, and appear- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 43 

ance of Moses and Elias witli him upon the Mount ; and 
the voice which was heard from the excellent glory, This 
is my beloved Son, hear him : not Moses nor Elias in com- 
parison of him, for the law pointed to him, and was as a 
school-master to bring to him. The holy prophets foresaw 
and prophesied of his coming, and John the Baptist saw 
Christ and baptized him, and bore witness of him as the 
Light, and said. Behold the Lamb of Glod, that taketh 
away the sin of the world. He also said. He is the bride- 
groom that hath the bride (the Church) : he spoke of his 
own decrease, and unworthiness in comparison of Christ, 
though called by Christ himself as great a prophet as 
was ever born of a woman; and he was also called Elias, 
which much first come, and is already come. In respect 
of power, knowledge, boldness, and faithfulness he was as 
Elias, yet the least in the kingdom of Christ was greater 
than he, because the power, and glorious kingdom, and 
gospel-dispensation was not fully brought in and restored 
to Israel, or those who should believe in him, until his 
ascension ; but now these great agents in these foregoing 
dispensations all passed away, with their figurative, pro- 
phetical, and elementary dispensations, and gave place to 
the Son and Heir of all things, the Messiah, the great 
Prophet, Bishop, Shepherd, King, and Lawgiver. 

Now read these things, and learn truly to understand 
how Moses passed away and Elias passed away, and Christ 
is left, who is able alone to perfect the work of man's re- 
demption, who trod the wine-press alone, and amongst all 
the sons of men none were with him or helped him : he 
came who was the antitype of all types gone before ; he, 
Christ, is come to remove the covenant made before, be- 
cause of the weakness and imperfection thereof, which 
covenant made not the comers thereto perfect, but the 



44 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

better liope brought in by Christ, did ; so this covenant is 
abufldantlj more excellent which was brought in bj Christ, 
and settled and established upon better promises than that 
was or could be by the blood of bulls, goats, and the ashes 
of an heifer, which reached the outside only ; but in the 
second or new covenant there is the blood which sprink- 
leth the heart from an evil conscience, so that such may 
be fitted and qualified to serve the living God, not in the 
works of the old covenant, but in the newness of the Holy 
Spirit. This is he that, as to his divinity and eternity, was 
before the hills were settled, and the seas and fountains 
were made, that took delight to dwell with the sons of 
men, or in the habitable parts of the earth. As he was a 
Spirit or Word uncreated, he dwelt measurably in Abel, 
Seth, Enoch, and Noah before the flood ; for by his spirit 
Grod strove with the old world to reclaim them from their 
wickedness, when it was great : it was by this spirit Noah 
was made a preacher of righteousness, and instructed how 
to build the ark. This is he who was with Shem and Ja- 
pheth, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and all the 
faithful Fathers after the flood, — the foundation of all the 
righteous, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, such as loved 
and believed in him, and suff"ered for his name's sake and 
the testimony which they held. This is he that despised 
the glory of this world, and is lifted up a standard to the 
people and an ensign to the nations; unto him shall the 
Gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious : he hath lifted 
up a greater rod than that of Moses, sometimes called the 
Rod of Iron, by which he hath, and I believe will break 
to pieces many people as a potter's vessel, when the sin and 
iniquity of the people is come to the height; it was he that 
turned the waters of Egypt into blood ; it was he that slew 
the first-born throughout all the land of Egypt, — he over- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 45 

threw the Egyptians, and brought forth Israel by a strong 
hand and an arm outstretched. After he had marked the 
dwellings of his people, and spared them in the time of 
this great slaughter, which was executed both upon man 
and beast, to wit, the first-born in Egypt, then he became 
Israel's passover. Read these things (that were typically 
done, and in an outward way) inwardly, and in thine own 
experience, that thou mayest say, and that truly, Christ 
is my passover, after he has mitigated thy sore bondage, 
and in degree hath given thee faith in his great name, and 
has caused thee to love him, and made thee willing to 
follow him, although it be through the sea of troubles, and 
sometimes as through the wilderness. Here is an eating 
of the heavenly passover, or Paschal Lamb, under the in- 
fluence of the pure love of Grod, that is spread or displayed 
over the soul like a canopy, or banner ; here is the heav- 
enly manna, the true body to feed on, that yields true 
nourishment and solid comfort to thy soul, in this thy 
travel toward the heavenly country : here is the substance 
of the Scapegoat known, that beareth away the sins of the 
people, for he bore our iniquities, and through his stripes 
were we healed ; on his part there wants nothing, but on 
man's, faith in, and obedience to Christ, He is the sub- 
stance or antitype of the brazen serpent, which was lifted 
up in the wilderness to cure the peoples' ailments, occa- 
sioned by the serpents; he is the Advocate with the Fa- 
ther, as John said, to encourage little children in that time, 
which I think may very well be applied to all in that state 
until time here shall be no more. Happy is every one 
that heareth, obeyeth, and reverenceth the Son and Heir 
of all things in his spiritual appearance in the heart, where 
he speaks to the conditions of the children of men, as 
never man spoke, and to much better purpose than ever 



46 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

man could do : this is lie that spoke to the Fathers by the 
prophets, who in these times doth speak to us in or by His 
Son ; so take heed to his spiritual appearance in the heart, 
for there must the work of our salvation be perfected, after 
sin is purged out, and the guilt thereof taken away. To 
such death is easy, where sin, the sting of death, is taken 
away, having a part in Christ, the first-born of many 
brethren, and resurrection from the dead ; I say, having 
a part in him that is the resurrection indeed, and the life ; 
over such the second death (which is a perpetual separa- 
tion from the heavenly presence of Grod, and company of 
holy angels) shall have no power. I now leave, I think, 
this not unprofitable digression, and return to the more 
historical part, where one thing, I think, is worthy of in- 
sertion here, viz : — 

In my young years, I was very much afflicted in my 
travels, upon taking cold, with a sore throat, that I could 
scarce speak so as to be heard, and had much trouble at 
times to swallow any thing which nature did require ; and 
in one journey northward, in Truth's service, coming to 
Hawkshead, and sitting in the meeting under no small 
exercise with the trouble aforesaid, not without some rea- 
sonings and conflicts of spirits, having left all, as I be- 
lieved, to do what the Lord required of me, and yet I ap- 
prehended myself, by means of this affliction, not likely to 
be of any service ; and after some reasonings, and a fervent 
seeking to the Lord to know the cause of this great trou- 
ble, and withal to bring my mind to a true resignation to 
the will of Grpd in this, and in all the trials the Lord might 
see good in His wisdom to exercise me in, — I had not been 
long brought into this devoted and resigned state, to be 
and do what the Lord would have me do, but oh ! I felt of 
the virtue of Christ as a sweet and living spring, by which 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 47 

I was healed. I was, and am to this day (when I re- 
member the Lord's kind dealings with me) very thankful 
to Him. 

It has been frequently observable, that the Lord l<3ads 
His servants through many states, that they, having the 
experience thereof, may be the more capable of helping 
others in the like straits. It is an excellent thing to love 
and truly believe in Jesus Christ, and keep self down as 
in the dust for ever. 



48 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 



CHAPTER IL 

Requirements of Truth — Is Concerned to Visit America — Sails 
from London — Preservation — Safe ArriA'al a Cause of Thank- 
fulness — Dream — Its Fulfillment — Edward Thomas — Priestly 
Rapacity — Opposition — Truth Triumphant — Objections An- 
swered — Boston — Ill-behaviour of the People — Thomas Maul- 
ham — Accident — Meeting at Rhode Island. 

Now tlie time came on for my going into America, 
having liad a sight of it about ten years before ; I also ac- 
quainted my wife therewitb about a year before she died,' 
and I found it was likely to be a very near trial to her. 
She was a virtuous, good woman, but was taken away, and 
left me three small children, the eldest not above four 
years old, the youngest not much above one mouth old, 
and I having but little of this world, reasoned much 
about going, thinking my circumstances at present might 
excuse me, — my intentions were good in it, that I might 
not leave things any way to the dishonour of the Truth. 
My innocent young child was taken away when about a 
year old ; and soon after, where ever I went, while I was 
awake, it sounded in my ears several days and nights, Now 
is the time, now is the time, — my other two children. Pro- 
vidence so ordered it, that they were placed to mine and 
Friends' satisfaction. I went through many provings that 
no man knew of, but I believe, when I am gathered to my 
place, I shall leave many brethren behind me yet in muta- 
bility, that will read my lines in their own experience. I 
would not have any to misunderstand me, for as to my 



LIFE or JOHN RICHARDSON. 49 

outward circumstances, I left no debt, neither was I in a 
way of going backward in the world ; for ever after I re- 
ceived the knowledge of the Truth, I could not see what 
pretence I could have to religion, if any should lose by me. 
I have often said, and been hearty in my intentions, That 
rather than Truth should suffer on that score, I would live 
upon bread and water, and wear very mean clothes, and 
work very hard if I were able, and upon any mean, if but 
lawful calling. It hath been matter of wonder to me how 
any, that appear to carry any pretensions to religion, dare 
run such great ventures, sometimes beyond their own bot- 
toms or abilities, — which to me hath always appeared an 
unwarrantable risk, — and, as I apprehend, pride and osten- 
tation is much the occasion of it, which are much against 
Truth, and men are no better for their greatness ; for the 
more plain, and the more humble we are, the more we re- 
semble humble Jesus and his religion, which he laboured 
to inculcate. If any are lifted up, or aspire above their 
place, let them consider well the foregoing paragraph. 

Now I must leave my little children, and my very near 
friends, and my native country, and all for Christ and the 
gospel's sake, without any sinister end or view; and then I 
appealed to the Lord, in the simplicity of my heart, that 
He knew I was willing to be at His disposal, and what He 
had favoured me with I could leave to Him ; yet whether 
what I had was sufficient to defray mine and my two little 
ones necessary charges was somewhat in my way ; and to 
satisfy me in this doubt, the Lord's voice sounded exceed- 
iDg clear to that sensation I was then endued with, saying. 
Go and be faithful, and I will bless thee every way. Oh! 
my heart seemed to me to melt, and my spirit to dissolve 
within me, and I said, Good is the word of the Lord : Thou 
hast not failed me in any of my great straits and trials to 

5 



50 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

tliis day. I have great cause to trust in Thee; renowned 
be Thy most excellent name, now and for ever. 

I parted from my friends with much brokenness of 
heart, and set forward on my journey toward London, in 
order to take shipping there, the 11th of the Eighth month, 
1700; when I with my companions, Thomas Thompson, 
Josiah Langdale, and John Estaugh, with some other 
Friends, went on board a ship in the river Thames. "We 
had not been long there, having considered our freedom 
about going in the ship, when it opened clearly in my mind, 
in the Light, that I must not go in that vessel ; and I said 
to the Friends, I could not go in her, for I saw nothing 
but death and darkness there. The account of what after- 
wards happened to the ship I had from two particular 
Friends, in two several letters from London to America, 
wherein they expressed a thankfulness for our deliverance, 
and magnified that Hand which wi'ought it and preserved 
us from going in that ship, which was lost near the Islands 
of either Jersey or Guernsey, and, as it was said, about 
seventy people were drowned. 

Peradventure I may mention some things that may 
appear to be of but little moment, but I have seen a Divine 
Providence attend terrene aff"airs, although they may ap- 
pear of little consequence to some ; such as do not duly 
consider these things, may make a wrong application; and 
as the course of my travels hath afi"orded variety of trials 
and transactions which are in some things very particular, 
from whence ariseth variety of accounts, so there hath been 
a willingness in my mind to favour some who have been 
desirous of having me to leave a journal of my life, which 
I have complied with, as far as I can see my way clear in 
the Truth. 

Then we went on board of another ship, called the 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 51 

Arundel, Splenden Rand, master, in wliich we embarked 
the 17tli of the Ninth month, 1700, and after many storms 
and much sea-sickness, not without some conflicts of spirit 
more than I am free to express, and a long passage, being 
near fifteen weeks upon the sea, we arrived in the river 
Patuxent, in Maryland, as near as I remember, the 5th or 
6th of the First month, 1701; and my heart was glad, and 
filled- with acknowledgments and praises to the Lord, for 
bringing us safe over the mighty waters. 

Now we left the ship and master, who was but a chur- 
lish, ill-natured man. I was very weak and low when I 
landed, both in body and mind ; but the Lord helped me, 
and made my journeys and labours comfortable to many, 
as well as to my own soul. After the first or second meet- 
ing we were at, John Estaugh being now my companion, 
as we came near a great house in Maryland, I espied a 
little white horse, the sight of which put me in mind of 
a dream I had on board the ship before I landed, in which 
I thought I got a little white horse which carried me well, 
and many miles. I said to the Friends with me, Let us 
call here at this house, which we did, and upon inquiry 
about a horse, the man said. He had none but a little white 
young Gralloway, as he called it, which he was willing to 
sell, and withal told us, it carried him one day forty miles, 
and asked eight pounds sterling for it, and I bid him five 
pounds sterling; the man's wife coming up the passage, 
heard what I had oifered, and she said to her husband, it 
is enough. So I had him, and a good horse he proved 
and carried me, by a moderate computation, four thousand 
miles. I took this, according to the nature of it, to be a 
singular favour from that great Hand which led me forth, 
and hitherto hath preserved me in the land of the living 
to praise His ever worthy name. 



52 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

Now we set forward toward Yirgiiiia and North Caro- 
lina, and found great openness in these two provinces 
amongst the people, and a tender-hearted remnant of 
Friends scattered abroad in these wilderness countries. 
Although, as I said before, I was brought very low, yet 
the Lord, in whom I did, and yet do believe and put my 
trust, raised me, and filled many times my heart with His 
Word and testimony, so that sometimes it went forth as a 
flame of fire amongst the loose libertines, who were proud 
and unfaithful, yet professors of the Truth, and we had 
many large and good meetings. One thing is worthy of 
notice : as I was speaking in a meeting in Yirginia, a sud- 
den stop came upon me, and occasioned me to say, I cannot 
go forward ; whatsoever the matter may be, I know not. 
But giving over immediately, a Friend, whose name was 
Edward Thomas, began to preach, who was but young in 
the ministry, although an elderly man, and apt to be at- 
tended with reasonings ; but as he said after the meeting 
he had sought to the Lord with prayers, that He would 
condescend so far to his request as to give me a sense 
of him, and in so doing he would take that as a great 
strength and confirmation to his ministry, in this the day 
of his many exercises and great fears, or much to the 
same efi"ect. Thus we see the Lord in His great mercy con- 
descends to the low, weak, and, as it were, infant states of 
His children like a tender father, and being our heavenly 
High Priest, is touched with the feeling of the infirmities 
of His people : thanksgiving and honour be given to His 
most excellent name, now and for ever. 

During our stay in Yirginia, one remarkable passage 
occured, which it may not be amiss to insert here, and the 
case was thus : I being at a Friend's house, an ancient 
widow, in order to go to the meeting, observed, as I sat in 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 53 

the house, several persons of note come into the yard (a 
store-house being near) to make, as appeared afterwards, a 
seizure for rates for the government and priest, — they not 
being distinctly charged, but a mixed rate, occasions Friends 
in those parts to be straitened about the payment of them. 
I, observing the priest to be there and appear very busy, 
asked, What he was come about ? The Friend replied. 
They were come to make distress for the forty pounds per 
poll, as they phrase it, which is forty pounds of tobacco, pay- 
able for every taxable head (i.e. all above fifteen years old). 
There were, along with the priest, the sheriff and constable 
for the government, and divers merchants of note as spec- 
tators. I, understanding the reason of their coming, step- 
ped out to the priest, who seemed a topping brisk man, his 
temper in this case not unsuitable to his name, which was 
Sharp; and being come to him, I desired him to be care- 
ful how he devoured widows' houses. He bi'iskly replied, 
he did not ; to which I as closely returned, that I found he 
did. He denied my assertion, and said. The government 
gave him what he demanded and took ; to which I gave 
the following answer : Inasmuch as he did not any thing 
for the widow, for which he reasonably might require a 
reward, I believed the government would not insist upon 
it for him, if he would be willing to drop it, which in com- 
mon equity I thought he should. The priest, displeased 
with this modest reply, tartly answered, You are no Chris- 
tians. I told him. The charge was high, and false, and he 
might more easily affirm than prove it; wherefore I put 
the question, and asked him, Why we were so charged 
by him ? To which he returned this insignificant answer. 
That we denied part of the divinity of Christ. I told him. 
He was a novice, and receded in his opinion from most of 
his brethren, seeing it was a general reflection cast on us 

5* 



54 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

by most of liis fraternity, that we owned the divinity of 
Christ, but denied his manhood, which was false also; 
therefore I demanded of him, to prove what part of the 
divinity of Christ we denied; in which, if he failed, I 
should look upon him as a false accuser, and those present 
would, I hoped, be my witnesses : but he shuffled and de- 
clined answering, though I urged him as much as possible ; 
and to cut the matter off, he asked, Whence I came ? The 
sheriff bid him give me a verse in Grreek ; I told them, I 
mattered not meddling in that, for as the English tongue 
was best understood by those present, therefore I thought 
it would be best to keep it. I told him, I was of Old Eng- 
land ; but still reminded him of his proving his assertion, 
which I looked for from him ; but instead of that, he asked, 
What part of Old England I came from ? I told him, 
Yorkshire; and bid him produce his proofs, as before 
urged; but he still evading the matter, desired to know 
from what place ? I told him I was born at North Cave ; 
and, said he, I was born at South Cave, and my father was 
minister there many years; his name was Sharp, and there 
is but a mile difference betwixt those places. I said, it 
was a long one. No sooner was this over, but the priest, 
transported with my being his countryman, began hugging 
me to such a degree, that I was quite ashamed of him. 
When I had, not without some difficulty, got clear of his 
embraces, I asked him. If he esteemed himself a minister 
of Christ ? He answered. Yea, and lawfully called thereto. 
I told him. If he was a gospel-minister, as the gospel was 
free, so should his ministry be free ; and turning to the 
people there present, I told them, I would not have them 
deceived, for they might understand he only possessed his 
place by virtue of a law in that case provided, and his call 
and ordination was only such as had been transferred upon 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 55 

him for a fee, wliicli made him require pay for what he 
did, and indeed where he did nothings which was highly 
unfair ; wherefore they might upon consideration find he 
was but a minister of the letter, which was dead, and not 
a minister of the Spirit and Divine Power : from which 
he offered not to clear himself, though I urged him thereto. 
Then I asked him, Which of those odious characteristics 
the false ministers were branded with and deciphered by 
in the New Testament, he could clear himself of? which I 
then enumerated to him. The sheriff said, It was so; and 
withal said, Mr. Sharp, answer the man, for the question 
is very rational; and you ought to answer him, and for 
honour sake clear yourself of those odiums if you can. 
But he would not offer to meddle with it; wherefore I told 
him. To mind for the future not to charge any man or 
people with more than he could be sure to prove ; for it 
was highly scandalous. It being now meeting time, I 
asked him to go thither ; but he refusing, said. He durst 
not; so we parted. 

Having visited Friends here, we returned back for 
Maryland and Pennsylvania, and a great many we found 
who loved to hear the testimony and doctrines of Truth, 
but too few there were who took up the cross daily and 
followed Christ in the way of self-denial, and knew the 
thorough work of regeneration, so as to have their gar- 
ments washed and made white in the mystical blood of the 
Lamb. These are not polluted with the sins and iniqui- 
ties of the world, who have experienced this blood to 
sprinkle th# heart from an evil conscience. These are 
capable of serving the living Grod ; and coming from the 
laver or pool that truly washes, tbere is none unfruitful, 
but every one bearing twain, and they are inwardly clean 
and fruitful to God and walk with Him, whose bright and 



56 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

shining lives are also fruitful to tlie world that will receive 
them. Kead this, thou that hast known something of the 
work of conversion, and consider the great difference there 
is between the bright lives of the virtuous and the dull 
and cloudy lives of the vicious, and be sure thou look well 
which of these thou most resemblest in thine. 

Now when we came into Pennsylvania, my companion 
before mentioned, whom I loved well, told me he must go 
back to Virginia : it became an exercise to us both, for I 
could not see my way clear to go back, having been twice 
through that province. When no other way appeared, but 
we must part (for my way appeared clear for the Jerseys, 
Long Island, Rhode Island, and New England), I held it 
needful that we should, as we did, call the Friends and 
Elders of Philadelphia and thereabouts together, to let 
them know how we parted, for we parted in much love and 
tender-heartedness ; yet notwithstanding, lest any undue 
reflections should be cast upon the Friends there concern- 
ing us, because of our parting, I thought these Friends 
would be capable of setting those things in their proper 
light, being witnesses thereto ; so taking our leave of our 
dear Friends in these parts, I travelled without any com- 
panion outwardly, or constantly, but I sometimes fell into 
company with Elizabeth Webb and Sarah Clement, who 
were virtuous women and lived near the kingdom, and 
were of good service in their travels, and grew in Truth, 
which while with them I was sensible of. We travelled 
under great care and circumspection, both for our own 
good, and avoiding offence, as became our pl<|pes and holy 
possession, that in all things we might adorn the gospel of 
the kingdom, a dispensntion of which was committed to us 
to preach unto others. Good service I had for the Lord, 
and great satisfaction in my own mind in these parts, the 



LIFE OP JOHN RICHARDSON. 57 

Lord helping me by His mighty power throngli all my 
trials, as my heart and mind was devoted and resigned to 
answer his requirings. 

I had great openings in several places in New Eng- 
land, and it appeared clear to me, and sometimes I spoke 
openly of it, that the Lord would gather a great people to 
the saving knowledge of the Truth in His time, notwith- 
standing what many of our Friends had suffered for the 
name of the Lord and testimony which they held in these 
parts, from the predecessors of the present inhabitants : the 
view of the state of these things, especially the great suf- 
ferings of many of our faithful Friends, put me in mind of 
that saying, that the blood of the martyrs is the Seed of 
the Church ; and, in this case, I believe it will be fulfilled 
in its season. 

One passage happened, which I think not fit to pass 
over in silence : there came into one meeting, eastward in 
New England, a man who was brother to a Presbyterian 
priest, to oppose Friends (who, as Friends said, had been 
often very troublesome in that meeting) ; in the beginning 
of the meeting he desired to have liberty to ask some ques- 
tions. I being a stranger, and not having so much as 
heard of the man, nor any making reply to him, I felt 
liberty in the Truth to return the following answer in 
behalf of the meeting : That I did apprehend it was the 
desire of Friends, inasmuch as the meeting was appointed 
for the worship of Grod, and not for asking of questions or 
controversies, that the chief part should first be answered ; 
and I also thought the meeting would be willing, in the 
conclusion, to give him liberty to ask the questions, if his 
intent therein was for information or satisfaction, and not 
for contentions Friends were silent, and the man submit- 
ted to what was proposed, and a good meeting we had, the 



58 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

Lord's heavenly power and living presence being with us, 
and the substance was felt among us, and exalted over 
all the shadows and types; and Christ, the true bread and 
living water, light, and life of the world, was exalted that 
day; and the mighty Grod and Father, with His beloved 
Son, through the help of the Holy Spirit, was glorified, 
who was worthy for ever. Near the conclusion of the 
meeting, the man began to speak well of what he had 
heard, particularly touching that of water-baptism, which, 
he said, he had nothing to object against; but as to the 
sacrament, as he called it, because little or nothing had 
been said about it, therefore he concluded, we either de- 
nied or disused it; or words to the same purport. Then 
I stood up and said, I did not remember the word sacra- 
ment was in all the Bible; but, I said, I supposed he meant 
the bread and wine. He answered, he did. I asked him, 
Whether he was of the same mind the Episcopal Church 
was of? If not of the same mind, he might say so; for 
they say, the bread and wine is an outward and visible sign 
of an inward and spiritual grace, etc.; what said he to it? 
He was some time silent : then I asked him. How long he 
thought that sign was to continue ? He replied, To the 
end of the world. I answered, he did not read in all the 
Bible, that the Lord had appointed any figure or sign but 
what was to end in the substance, which is to be witnessed 
and enjoyed in this world, and not put off only to the end 
or conclusion thereof, as his argument seemed to declare, 
by his urging, that the sign of that divine substance must 
remain till the end of this world. I asked him, what he 
could answer to that ? He turned off with only saying, 
I was too great a scholar for him, and so he would not 
meddle with me. He then was silent, and there being 
many people, I had a fine opportunity to open to the ten- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 59 

der-liearted and Friends present, liow that was at best but 
a sign, whicli the people eat and drank outwardly, in re- 
membrance of Christ's death until he came, but that I 
could now prove plenteously from the New Testament, that 
the substance, the grace was come, and urged many proofs 
out of the Scriptures to the same purpose : and when I had 
done, what I had said, so reached a good-like old man, a 
Presbyterian, that he confessed with tears, he had heard 
much said upon that subject, but had never heard it so 
opened before ; and said, he believed I was in the right. 
The meeting broke up in a good frame, and Friends much 
rejoiced that Truth came over all, and the contentious 
man was silenced : and when the meeting was over, the 
goodly old man took me to the door, and asked me, What 
a man should do in case of a solemn league and covenant, 
he being entered into it ? I told him, I needed not to di- 
rect him, for he had that in himself which would show him 
what he should do : for if one should make an agreement 
or covenant with hell and death, in the time of ignorance 
and darkness, and now the true light discovered it to be 
so; the same light which discovered and manifested it to 
be wrong, as he was faithful to the same, would show him 
how and when to break it, and every other wrong thing ; 
to which light I recommended him, and bid him take heed 
to it; which, he said, he hoped he should; and so I left 
him with tears on his cheeks, and passed on. 

1 omitted one thing which happened in that part of 
New England, near New York and Long Island, although 
I was twice backward and forward, yet to be brief in my 
travels through those countries, intended to make one ac- 
count serve, viz. — As I was speaking in a meeting, there 
came a great damp over my spirit, and in that time came 
into the meeting several men, occasioned by a topping and 



60 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

great man in the world, who had given them an expecta- 
tion that they should hear how he would oppose the Quak- 
ers ; but in a short time Truth rose, and Friends generally 
heard a man say to this disputant. Why do you not speak ? 
He hushed him with saying. The man is upon the subject 
which I intend to oppose them with. After some time the 
man was put upon again to speak to me, with a Why do not 
you speak ? we heard him say. The man has opened the 
thing so as I never heard it before, and I have nothing to 
say. And to his own, and the wonder of his neighbours, 
he sat down upon a seat near the door and wept tenderly; 
so it was a good time to him and many more, for the Lord's 
mighty power was amongst us. And in my return from 
my journey in the east part of New England, the same 
great man desired me to condescend to have a meeting at 
his house } and after due consideration and approbation of 
Friends, who desired it might be so, when they knew it was 
his request, a meeting was appointed, and I heard there 
were likely to be at it a great many of the higher sort of 
Presbyterians of his neighbourhood. 

I went to the meeting under no small concern of mind, 
but when I was come into the great house, I was very 
much affected with the wise conduct of the man, to see in 
what excellent order he had placed every thing, so that I 
could not find wherein any thing could be amended ; and 
a heavenly meeting it was, without any opposition ; and at 
the breaking up of the meeting, this tender man, whose 
heart was broken and opened by the power of Truth, said 
audibly, His heart and house were opened to receive me, 
and such as me, let all say what they would to the con- 
trary. But what the subject-matter was at the first meet- 
ing when he came in, I forgot: it was enough that we 
remembered we had a good and heavenly meeting, and 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 61 

were truly thankful for the same to Him who was the 
author thereof. 

I and some other Friends being in our passage by 
water in a vessel bound for Rhode Island, and meeting 
with high and contrary winds, we put into a creek some 
miles distant from Rhode Island, and desired the people 
to procure us some horses to ride on, and we would pay 
them any thing that was reasonable, but hoped they would 
not make a prey of us, for we were strangers, and they 
ought to do to us as they would be done by, if they were 
in a strange land, as we were ; and there came up to us a 
goodly old man, and asked us. What people we were ? if 
we were not Quakers ? I told him, We were in scorn so 
called, but we did not much mind names, for there was 
but little in them. He was a brisk talking man, and said, 
There was a man here lately that said he was a Quaker, 
and borrowed a horse, and when he was gone some miles 
from this place, he offered to sell the horse : I know not, 
said the man, but you are such. I returned this answer to 
the reflection : That was a great proof that we were an 
honest and reputable people where we were known, he 
might assure himself of that ; for when a man is so wicked 
as to become a notorious cheat, he will cover himself under 
the best name he can think of, otherwise he might have 
said he was a Baptist, or a Presbyterian, or an Episcopa- 
lian, and desired you to lend him an horse ; but you mind 
not these names, neither doth the wicked man think he can 
pass so well under any of these last, but under the first; and 
the reason of it I leave thee to judge. The old man asked 
no more questions, but used his endeavours to get us horses, 
and a man and horse to go with us, to have the horses back 
again, and we were well mounted ; but before we set for- 
ward, the old man took me to his house and was very cOur- 

6 



62 LIFE or JOHN KICHARDSOX. 

teous to me, for tliougli we liad spoke for some victuals in 
as short a time as well might be, he invited me to drink, 
and brought of his apples and beer, which he would have 
my friends to partake of; for, he said (and we found it 
true), it was but a poor inn. I think there was no liquor 
at it but brandy or rum, and water. The old man and I 
parted very lovingly, and I gave him a piece of money to 
show my gratitude for his civility and good service to us. 
The people looked upon us as some great wonder, for I 
heard one say, Are these Quakers ? well, said he, they look 
like other people. How we had been represented, and by 
whom, is not hard to gather; for it is very apparent, the 
same spirit and the same enmity yet doth continue in some 
of the inhabitants of that country, which some of our 
Friends formerly felt the severe effects of; but they are 
since somewhat moderated by the government there, which 
is of a more mild and Christian disposition ; although I 
am well assured, that many of the more conscientious and 
thinking people in those parts of the world begin to see, 
and many will see and understand in time, that hanging 
and taking away lives, for the sake of religion, is opposite 
to Christ, and the nature of the true religion which is 
wrought in man by the operation, quickenings, and in- 
dwellings of the Holy Spirit, which, as it is regarded and 
followed, leavens and brings the soul of man in some de- 
gree to put on the purity, heavenly image, and nature of 
Christ, which is love, praying for enemies, and is not for 
destropng. but saving lives ; but how far the reverse will 
agree with that religion taught by Christ, and practiced by 
him and the apostles, I would have all seriously consider 
of in time. 

While we were in Boston, when one of the aforemen- 
tioned worthy women was declaring excellently, with both 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 63 

good utterance and voice, as also good matter, as the man- 
ner of the inhabitants of Boston had been for many years 
to encourage, or at least to suffer, a rude mob to bawl and 
make a noise, so they did now, that it was hard to hear 
so as to understand distinctly what the Friend said, al- 
though she spoke plain and intelligibly. It did very much 
grieve me to see the ignorance and darkness of those high 
professors of religion; so that when the Friend had done, 
observing there appeared men of some note in the world, 
I requested them to hush the rabble, for I had something 
to say, which I desired them to make known to the gov- 
ernor and chief men of the town : so they soon quelled the 
noise. Then I told them. That in case we were erroneous, 
as some might insinuate we were, that was not the way to 
convince us of our errors, neither to bring us out of them, 
but rather to establish us in them ; and that was not the 
way for them to gain proselytes, but the way to lose many 
from them, and increase dissenters; for what convince- 
ment could there be by noise and clamour, and hooting, as 
if they would split their own lungs ? I had come a great 
way to see them, and what character could I give of them ? 
I never thought to have seen so much folly amongst a wise 
and religious people as now I saw. Tell the governor and 
chief of the town what the old Englishman saith; for I am 
ashamed of such doings. It had a good effect, for when I 
came after, we had quiet meetings ; and I understood by a 
letter from Daniel Zachary, of Boston, to Old England, 
that the Grovernor said, I was in the right, and ordered 
that peace should be kept in Friends' meetings there ; and 
I never heard to the contrary but it is well yet as to that. 
We have great reason to be truly thankful to the Lord for 
those, and all other His mercies, that He the fountain of 
all good is pleased to favour us with : and as an instance 



64 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

of tlie Lord's mercy to many poor sufferers, and to show 
the implacable envy of these people to Friends, the case of 
Thomas Maulham of Salem may suffice, in some measure, 
to set forth both, — ^who was a great sufferer in the time of 
hot persecution. When the persecutors had stripped him of 
almost all he had, their insatiable minds not content with 
that, they came with axes and hewed down all the apple- 
trees in his orchard, it being a large one, and left the 
stumps about the height of a man's knee, and, as Thomas 
Maulham said, they took the way as they thought to ruin 
him ; but the Lord turned it into a blessing, for the trees 
grew to admiration, and came to bear fruit abundantly, 
and a finer orchard I have not seen in all my trayels, for 
the bigness of it. Let the Lord be sanctified by all His 
people, and admired by all them that believe. 

I with several other Friends went from Salem Yearly 
Meeting (which was a large and good meeting) toward 
Dover, and coming to a river, I staying a little behind, a 
Friend took my horse with two more into the boat, and by 
the time I came to the river-side the boat was sinking, 
and the ferryman made a lamentable cry, saying, "The boat 
is sunk, and we shall be all drowned : although it was so 
ordered, that there was but one Friend in the boat with the 
boatman, and I do not remember that ever before now my 
horse was in any boat, and I not there ; which I looked on 
as the mercy of a kind Providence to me, and to several 
other Friends in company. I hearing the noise, as before 
(and also the floundering of the horses when tumbling into 
the water), called to the men, to be sure to take care to free 
themselves of all the tackling of the horses, (as bridles, 
stirrups, etc.,) and catch hold on my horse's tail, and he 
would bring them both ashore; but if they trusted to the 
other (as before mentioned), when the horses swam, they 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 65 

would fail them, unless very strong ; and to have them hold 
by the bridle was the way to drown both horse and man. 
This advice was given while they had the horses in their 
hands : the boatman, being a lively youth, took my advice, 
caught hold of my horse's tail, it being long (which I ever 
approved of among rivers), and I calling to my horse, he 
came quickly with the man ashore, but left the honest old 
Friend, Ezekiel "Waring (to whose house we intended to go 
that night), in the river floating to the neck, a hundred 
yards from the shore by computation, yet watchful Provi- 
dence did so attend, that his life was preserved to a won- 
der ; for it was so ordered, although he missed taking my 
advice, and caught hold of his stirrup, and the girth broke, 
as they are apt to do if they be tight when the horse begins 
to swim, which brought ofi" the saddle and pillion, and the 
oar of the boat and his hat, which with the pillion-seat 
being in his arms, just bore his head up above water for 
some time. His poor wife seeing the danger to which her 
husband was exposed, fell into a fainting fit ; (there being 
neither house, man, or boat to be seen on this side of the 
river, but ourselves, the boatman, and the stem and stern 
of the sunk boat full of water), A house there was on 
the other side of the river, which was a half-a-mile over. 
The ferryman did his best to get a boat or canoe, and al- 
though it began to be dark, yet he found a canoe (which 
is made of a fine piece of timber hollowed in the form of 
a boat, and generally will carry but two or three or four 
men) : he coming near, asked if Ezekiel was alive ? I told 
him he was, but very weak, for I had often heard him 
blubber in the water. I encouraged him that he might 
not faint in his mind, for I told him, I yet believed his 
life would be preserved ; he would very faintly say, unless 
help came, he could not hold it long. I went on by the 

6* 



66 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

water-side, and laid me down often on the land, not mneh 
regarding wet or dirt, sometimes tumbling over logs of 
wood and limbs of trees, for so it is in tbese uncultivated 
places. I directed the man with bis canoe where the poor 
Friend was, as near as I could tell by my last observation, 
and withal desired he would turn the stern of his canoe to 
him, as he could not lift him into the canoe ; neither to let 
him lay his hand upon the broad side of it, but upon the 
stern, lest he should overset it, and you be both drowned : 
so he did, and brought him gently ashore, to the great joy 
of his loving wife and us all. The boatman, as he owned, 
had found my counsel good, and therefore would have me 
tell him what he might do now. I bid him fetch the boat 
to shore by the fowler or rope, and then go and carry 
Ezekiel in the canoe to the inn on the other side of the 
water, that he might dry, warm, and refresh himself until 
we came : in the mean time we cleared the boat of water, 
which when done, we put two horses into it, and I towed 
my horse at the boat's stern to make room for several, 
especially the good women before mentioned, who were at 
this time in my company, not without their exercise any 
more than myself. We got well over, and then the ferry- 
man and Friend on the other side brought the horses that 
were left, being three, which were enough for the boat, 
and proved too many the first time. We found the good 
old Friend finely and well recruited, and got to his house 
about midnight, where we were glad, and our hearts were 
full of praise to the Lord for this great and eminent de- 
liverance and preservation. 

' In this first visit, while in Khode Island, I met with 
something worthy of thy notice, if thou art such a reader 
as I wish thou mayest, which was thus : being in Rhode 
Island, several Friends came to me in some of the inter- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 67 

vals of the Yearly-meeting (for it held several days, both 
for worship and discipline), to inquire whether it was usual 
to let the young, and such as had appeared but little in 
testimony in our parts of the world, come into meetings 
of public Friends? I said, Yes, if they were of clean 
lives, and what they had to say, approved; and it was very 
like such might want advice as much as those who were 
come to more experience in the work of the ministry, if 
not more : this was some means of enlarging the said meet- 
ings of ministers now coming on. When I came into the 
meeting, several of the elders desired me to go into the 
gallery, which I refused; the concern upon my mind being 
so great, I thought it was enough that I could but get into 
the house, and sit down among the lowest rank. 

This meeting was one not to be forgotten, because of 
the eminent visitation from the Lord that was upon us in 
it. I have not often seen the like; I question if there were 
any dry cheeks for some time in it ; and the manner of the 
working of the heavenly power was remarkable, in order 
to the sanctifying and preparing vessels for the Lord's use ; 
and He broke us down by His judgments from following 
flattering flesh, and the pleasing vanities of the world, and 
the subtile baits of Satan, by the tenders of His love, and 
engaged us to follow His heavenly and inward calls, 
knocks, and reproofs of His Holy Spirit, and to obey the 
dictates of the same. When the Lord prepares in a good 
degree for this work of the ministry, many have been un- 
willing to give up and obey, until they have tasted of the 
Lord's displeasure, and in part of His judgments, which 
have brought them into a submission ; after which they 
went out with their lives sometimes in their hands, and 
became a wonder to men, bearing their reproach; and 
sometimes appeared in great congregations, sometimes in 



68 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

noises and tumults, and sometimes were in watchings and 
fastings, in weariness, hunger, and in cold, witli much more 
for the name of the Lord and His testimony, and for the 
enjoyment of peace and the internal presence of Him that 
hath separated us to this work by the Holy Grhost ; and it 
is in and by our abiding faithful to the same, that we are 
preserved in a capacity of perseverance through all to the 
end, to the mutual help and comfort one of another, and 
renown of the name of the Lord, who is worthy now and 
for ever. 

We also had a very large meeting on this island in an 
orchard, where I had good service for the Lord ; and I 
remember I was much concerned about the two ministra- 
tions, viz., John's baptism with water, and Christ's with 
the Holy Grhost; it being clear from John's words, that he 
saw to the end of his own dispensation when he declared, 
he must decrease, but Christ must increase, — which is 
generally understood to respect their differing dispensa- 
tions : for the first baptism was to baptize unto repentance, 
the other to the purging of the floor, and the burning up 
of that which was combustible, viz., the chaff and stubble, 
which the Lord's baptism burneth up inwardly, and which 
no elementary thing can do ; for if all the eatings, wash- 
ings, observations, and ceremonies under the law, although 
to Israel commanded and enjoined by the Lord, could not 
make the comers thereunto perfect, how should these or 
any of them now, when not commanded, as they never were 
to us, perfect the Greutile world ? So what I had upon my 
mind, as I received I went through with, and showed the 
beginning, use, and end of the watery dispensation, and the 
use and continuance of Christ's spiritual baptism to the 
end of Tlie world. The meeting broke up, and Friends 
went into an upper room in an inn; but I felt such an 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 69 

exercise upon my spirit that I could not eat, but desired 
Friends to be easy, and I would eat as soon as I could ; 
and wbile I was walking over tbe large chamber alone, 
there came up three men whom I knew not, or what they 
were, but it sprang livingly in my heart to set my eyes on 
them in the Lord's dread, and so I did. They passed away, 
and I was told afterwards, that they were three Baptist 
preachers who had been at the meeting, and came once 
more to see me, with a design to have a dispute with me ; 
but, they said, I looked so sharply they durst not meddle 
with me. Thus the Lord in a good degree wrought for 
me, blessed be His worthy name for ever. 



70 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 



CHAPTEH III. 

Visits Nantucket — James Bates — Peleg Slocum — Susanna Pree- 
born — Fear of the People — Nathaniel Starbuck — Mary Star- 
buck — Her Position and Influence — Meeting at Her House — 
Its Orderly Arrangement — Her Conyincement — Debate with a 
Priest — William Penn — Keflections. 

Now I leave tlie account of my travels in those parts, 
and enter upon my second, with, my honest companion 
James Bates, who was born in Virginia, and travelled 
much with me through many provinces and some islands. 
We had good service together, and it was much with me, 
when on Rhode Island, to visit Nantucket, where there 
were but very few Friends : Peleg Slocum, an honest pub- 
lic Friend near Rhode Island, intending to carry us in his 
sloop to the said island that night -, and Peleg thought we 
had been close in with our desired landing-place, but we 
fell short, and night coming on, and having but one small 
canoe to help us ashore, which would carry but three peo- 
ple at once, we went ashore at twice, and left the sloop at 
an anchor; and it being grown dark, we thought we were 
going up into the island among the inhabitants, but soon 
found that we were upon a beach of sand and rubbish, 
where was neither grass nor tree, neither could we find the 
sloop that night, though we sought it carefully, and hal- 
looed one to another till we were weary, so that we were 
forced to settle upon our little island, from the centre of 
which one might cast a stone into the sea on every side. 
Here we staid that night, not knowing but the sea, when 



LIFE or JOHN RICHARDSON. 71 

at the height, would have swept us all away, hut it did 
not; there I walked, and sometimes sat, until morning, but 
slept none. At last the morning came, and the mist went 
away, and we got on board again, and reached the island 
about the ninth or tenth hour. 

The master was willing, at our request, to land three of 
us, (i.e.) me, my companion, and Susanna Freeborn, a pub- 
lic Friend, who had a concern upon her mind for some 
time (as she signified to Friends in Rhode Island where 
she lived) to visit the few Friends in Nantucket; and 
Friends thought this a proper season to pay that visit. 
She was a woman well beloved, and in good unity with 
Friends. 

We landed safe, and as we went up an ascent, we saw 
a great many people looking toward the sea, for great fear 
had possessed them, that our sloop was a French sloop 
loaded with men and arms, who were coming to invade the 
island. I held out my arms and told them, I knew not of 
any worse arms than these on board. They said. They 
were glad it was no worse, for they had intended to have 
alarmed the island; it being a time of war. I told the 
good-like people, for so they appeared to me, that Peleg 
Slocum, near Rhode Island, was master of the sloop, and 
that we came to visit them in the love of God, if they 
would be willing to let us have some meetings amongst 
them. They behaved themselves very courteously toward 
us, and said, they thought we might. 

We then inquired for Nathaniel Starbuck, who we 
understood was in some degree convinced of the Truth, 
and having directions to his house, we went thither, and 
I told him, we made bold to come to his house, and if he 
was free to receive us, we would stay a little while with 
him, but if not, we would go elsewhere ; for we heard he 



72 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

was a seeking religious man, and sucli chiefly we were 
come to visit. He said, we were very welcome. And by 
this time came in his mother, Mary Starbuck, who the 
islanders esteemed as a judge among them, for little of 
moment was done there without her, as I understood. 

At the first sight of her it sprang in my heart, To this 
woman is the everlasting love of Grod. I looked upon her 
as a woman that bore some sway in the island, and so I 
said, and that truly. We are come in the love of God to 
visit you, if you are willing to let us have some meetings 
among you. She said, she thought we might ; and withal 
said, there was a non-conformist minister who was to have 
a meeting, and they were going to it, and she thought it 
would be the best way for us to go with them to the meet- 
ing. I showed my dislike to that for these reasons : first, 
we did not want to hear what that minister had to say, 
because some of us had tried them before we came there 
(meaning the non-conformists of several sorts), and if we 
should go, and could not be clear without speaking some- 
thing in the meeting, he might take it ill ; but as we under- 
stand there is another meeting appointed at the second 
hour for the same man, therefore, as the present constitu- 
tion of things are, we look upon ourselves to stand upon an 
equal ground in a religious capacity with other dissenters ; 
and if we should "appoint our meeting at the same hour, 
then the people will be left to their choice to which meeting 
they will go. The great woman approved of the proposal, 
and said, indeed that was the best way. The next con- 
sideration was, where shall the meeting be ? She paused 
a while, and then said, I think at our house. I from 
thence gathered she had an husband, for I thought the 
word our carried in it some power besides her own, and I 
presently found he was with us : I then made my observa- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 73 

tion on him, and lie appeared not a man of mean parts; but 
she so far exceeded him in soundness of judgment, clear- 
ness of understanding, and an elegant way of expressing 
herself, and that not in an ajDTected strain, but very natural 
to her, that it tended to lessen the qualifications of her 
husband. 

The meeting being agreed on, and care taken as to the 
appointment of it, we parted, and I lay down to try if I 
could get any sleep, for I have showed before what sort of 
a night the last was with us; but sleep vanished away from 
me, and I got up and walked to and fro in the woods until 
the meeting was mostly gathered. I was under a very 
great load in my spirit, but the occasion of it was hid from 
me, but I saw it my place to go to meeting, the order of 
which was such, in all the parts thereof, I had not seen the 
like before; the large and bright-rubbed room was set with 
suitable seats or chairs, the glass windows taken out of the 
frames, and many chairs placed without very conveniently, 
so that I did not see any thing wanting, according to the 
place, but something to stand on, for I was not free to set 
my feet upon the fine cane chair, lest I should break it. 

I am the more particular in this exact and exemplary 
order than in some other things, for the seats both within 
and without doors were so placed, that the faces of the 
people were toward the seats where the public Friends sat, 
and when so set, they did not look or gaze in our faces, as 
some I think are too apt to do, which in my thoughts be- 
speak an unconcerned mind. The meeting being thus 
gathered and set down in this orderly and ample manner, 
(although there were but very few bearing our name in it) 
it was not long before the mighty power of the Lord began 
to work, and in it my companion especially did appear in 
testimony in the fore part thereof; and while he was 

7 



74 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

speaking, a priest (not him before touched on, but ano- 
ther) flung out some reflections upon him and the people 
for his sake, which I did not see the least occasion for ; 
after which he went away (but more of this in the sequel). 

I sat a considerable time in the meeting before I could 
see my way clear to say any thing, until the Lord's heav- 
enly power raised me, and set me upon my feet as if one 
had lifted me up, and what I had first in commission to 
speak was in the words of Christ to Nicodemus, viz. : 
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom 
of Grod ; with these words. Nay, the natural and unregen- 
erated man cannot so much as see the heavenly and spiri- 
tual kingdom of Christ, which stands not only in power, 
but also in righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit; 
and to be born again, was not to be done unperceivably, 
no more than the natural birth could be brought forth 
without trouble; and to pretend to be in Christ and not to 
be new creatures, is preposterous; and to pretend to be 
new creatures, and yet not able to render any account how 
it was performed, was unreasonable ; for it could not be, 
as I urged before, without our knowledge : for to be born 
again, signified to be quickened and raised into a spiritual 
and new life, by which the body of the sins of the flesh 
is mortified, and we come to live a self-denying life. 
Those who are crucified with Christ, they are crucified to 
their sins, that as he died for sin, we might die to sin : 
in this state we live not after the flesh, although we live 
(as the apostle said) in the flesh ; but the life which these 
live, is through faith in the Son of God : and to have all 
this, and much more wrought in us, and we know nothing 
of it, is unaccountable. 

As I was thus opened, and delivering these things, 
with much more than I can remember, the great woman I 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 75 

felt, for most of an hour together, fought and strove against 
the testimony, sometimes looking up in my face with a 
pale, and then with a more ruddy complexion ; but the 
Truth increased, and the Lord's mighty power began to 
shake the people within and without doors ; but she who 
was looked upon as a Deborah by these people, was loath to 
lose her outside religion, or the appearance thereof. When 
she could no longer contain, she submitted to the power of 
Truth, and the doctrines thereof, and lifted up her voice 
and wept. Oh ! then the universal cry and brokenness of 
heart and tears was wonderful ! From this time I do not 
remember one word that I spoke in testimony; it was 
enough that I could keep upon the true bottom, and not 
be carried away with the stream above my measure. 

I might add much more concerning this day's work, 
but I intend not to say any thing to the praise of the crea- 
ture , but to the renown of the mighty name of the Lord 
of hosts, and let all flesh lie as in the dust for ever; for 
while I continued speaking in this state, as before men- 
tioned, and thus swallowed up in the internal presence of 
Christ, where there was no want of power, wisdom, nor 
utterance, I spoke but a sentence and stopped, and so on for 
some time. I have since thought of John's being in the 
Spirit on the Lord's day. If it had been a state to be con- 
tinued in, I am of the mind, I should not have been sen- 
sible of weariness, neither of hunger or pain. This is a 
mystery to many, yet they are faithful and true sayings, 
thou mayest read that canst ; but there are none who can 
know the white stone and new name, but they who have 
it; there are none who stand upon Mount Zion with harps 
of Grod in their hands, but only such as have come through 
great tribulations, and have washed their garments and 
made them white in the blood of the Lamb ; to these are 



76 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

the seals of the Book of the mysteries of the glorious 
kingdom opened ; these are called out of nations, kindreds, 
tongues, and people ; these are redeemed out of the fallen 
and earthly state of old Adam, into the living, heavenly, 
and spiritual state in Christ the second Adam ; these cry 
holy : the other part of the children of men cry unholy, 
because they are not willing to cast down their crowns at 
the feet or appearance of Christ in their own souls ; al- 
though such, with the four beasts may cry. Come and see, 
yet are they not properly qualified to worship the Lord 
Grod and the Lamb before His throne, as the four and 
twenty elders did, and as all do, and will do, who worship 
Ood in His Holy Temple in Spirit and in Truth, accord- 
ing to His own appointment; who are not tied up to the 
canons, creeds, systems, and dictates of men, much of 
which is beaten out of the wisdom, parts, and natural com- 
prehension of earthly fallen man. 

I return from this, which may seem a mysterious di- 
gression, to the other part of what did happen concerning 
the meeting, and come now to the breaking up thereof; 
and as extreme heats oft end in extreme cold, and as great 
heights frequently centre (as to man in this capacity) in 
great depths, and great plenty in great poverty, which I 
have often seen to be good in order to keep the creature 
low, in fear, and in a dependence upon the Lord, I soon 
fell into such a condition that I was like to die away; and 
when it was so, I with my companion made a motion to 
break up the meeting, but could not for some time, for 
they sat weeping universally; then I told the meeting, 
especially such as were near me. That if I should faint 
away, I would not have them to be surprised at it; for I 
was much concerned lest that should hurt these tender 
people ; my life was not dear to me in comparison of the 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 77 

wortli of the souls of the cliildren of men ; but all this did 
not break up the meeting. But after some time Mary 
Starbuck stood up, and held out her hand, and spoke trem- 
blingly and said, All that ever we have been building, and 
all that ever we have done, is all pulled down this day, and 
this is the everlasting Truth; or very near these words. 
Then she arose, and I observed that she, and as many as 
could well be seen, were wet with tears from their faces to 
the fore skirts of their garments, and the floor was as 
though there had been a shower of rain upon it ; but Mary, 
that worthy woman, said to me, when a little come to con- 
sider the poor state that I was in. Dear child, what shajl I 
do for you ? I said, a little would do for me ; if thou canst 
get me something to drink, that is not strong but rather 
warm, it may do well : so she did, and I went unto her 
son's, where my clothes were, that I might shift me, for I 
felt sweat in my shoes as I walked. 

I mention this partly for the sakes of such of my 
brethren, who may be at any time in the like case, to take 
care to keep out of the cold, and beware of drinking that 
which is cold, neither is brandy good, for it feeds too much 
upon the weakened vitals ; but in all things endeavour to 
possess your vessels in sanctification and honour. And as 
it is not in man's power to make the vessel clean nor pre- 
pare it, therefore if the Lord doth (with thy obedience 
through the work of His Grrace and Holy Spirit) fit thy 
vessel for His work and service, take this caution: see that 
thou neither destroy, defile, nor hurt the same. But it 
may be, some or other have done all these, some one way 
and some another. 

I remember Peleg Slocum (before mentioned) said 
after this meeting, that the like he was never at ; for he 
thought the inhabitants of the island were shaken, and 

7« 



78 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

most of the people convinced of the Truth. However, a 
great convincement there was that day; Mary Starbuck 
was one of the number, and in a short time after received 
a public testimony, as did also her son Nathaniel. 

After I was somewhat revived, my companion having 
a mind to speak to the priest, to know why he did so re- 
flect on him, desired me to go with him, which I did with 
several more; and coming to his door, where he was sat 
upon a bench, James Bates asked him, why he did so re- 
flect ? He replied, he was in a passion, and had nothing 
against him ; then James forgave him, and they fell into 
some debate concerning faith; my friend urged the apostle 
James' words, which are these. As the body is dead with- 
out the spirit, so is faith without works. The priest said, 
Dead faith was nothing, and that it had no being in the 
world. I thought he appeared to be in the craft; and 
after they had tugged at it a while, I said, I found some- 
thing in my mind to interpose, if they would hear me. 
They both showed a willingness to hear what I had to say, 
and then I asked, what belief or faith that was the devils 
had ? for I did not understand but that, although they 
believed there was a Grod, they remained devils still; 
therefore the word dead is a proper word, and properly 
adapted to that which any may call faith and is not opera- 
tive, but a notion that may be received by education, by 
hearing or reading, and not that faith which works by love 
and overcomes the world ; and because of its not working, 
being inactive and useless, is fitly called dead : what doth 
thou say to that ? He said, I was too great a scholar for 
him. I replied, there was no great scholarship in that. 
He then invited me to stay all night, and said I should 
be as welcome as his own children, and he and I would 
dispute about that between ourselves. I declined it, and 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 79 

showed these reasons for so doing : if he declined the de- 
bate publicly, I would not debate it privately, for then 
those neighbours of his would want the benefit of it ; and 
so we parted with my saying, as it immediately sprang up 
in my heart. Thou hast been a man in thy young years that 
the Lord has been near, and favoured with many openings; 
and if thou hadst been faithful to the gift of Grod, thou 
mightest have been serviceable; but thou hast been un- 
faithful, and a cloud is come over thee, and thou art laid 
aside as useless. 

I was altogether a stranger to the state of the priest, 
nor had I heard any thing of him, nor indeed of the state 
of the inhabitants of the island, but what I heard after 
mostly from Mary Starbuck ; for as we walked from the 
priest's house toward our quarters, she said, every thing 
she now met with did confirm her in the Truth; for she 
knew this was the state of the priest, as I had said, 
she being acquainted with him in his best state, and then 
he had fine openings, and a living ministry among them, 
but of late a cloud was come over him, and, as I said, he 
was laid by and useless. She also put me in mind of some- 
thing I had said in the meeting about election, which as 
near as I can remember, was thus : I had endeavoured to 
make one in the election, and one born again, much the 
same ; for I had laid waste all claim to election without 
being born again ; for as Christ was the chosen or elect of 
Grod, who never fell, could such who were in the fall be the 
branches of Christ, the pure heavenly vine ? Or such who 
were found in the impure state, and in the degeneracy, by 
reason of sin and wicked works ? Or would Christ be mar- 
ried to a people, and become as their husband, who were 
in an unconverted state ? Could this be the true Church 
of Christ? Could this be the Lamb's bride, who had de- 



80 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

parted from tliis spirit, and was in the pollutions of the 
world through lust, and running after the pleasures and 
fineries of the world, depending upon ceremonies, and 
outside things and elements, which appear not to be essen- 
tial to our salvation, neither do we find life in them, nor 
conversion through them? I was of the apostle's mind, 
that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availeth any- 
thing, but a new creature : and what man in the world can 
say, that water (although he may have been baptized or 
dipped into the same) hath converted him, or changed his 
state from a natural to a spiritual, or from a dead to a liv- 
ing state in Christ ? Or, who that have gone through the 
most celebrated ceremonies (as some may account them) 
had thereby got dominion over sin and Satan ? 

Having thus treated of things, or to this purpose, 
among>them, I said to Mary, that she warred and strove 
against the testimony for a time ; and as near as I remem- 
ber, she said their principle was, That such who believed 
once in Christ, were always in him, without possibility of 
falling away; and whom he had once loved, he loved to 
the end, — and it was a distinction they had given to their 
church, to be called Electarians; and as I said, or near it, 
she had no mind to be pulled out of her stronghold. But 
when she saw the glory of Christ and the true Church, as 
the Queen of the South saw Solomon's and the glory of 
his house, and as she had her questions and doubts an- 
swered, she had no more spirit in her, or doubts or ques- 
tions, but openly owned. This is the Truth; this is the glory 
I have heard so much of. That spirit of doubting and 
questioning-was swallowed up now, by her hearing and be- 
holding for herself this greater than Solomon, his wisdom 
and glory, and the great house he had built (the servants, 
the attendance, and excellent order, with the ascent unto 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 81 

the liouse of Grod, wMcli were all wonderful in Solomon's 
house, carried in them a lively resemblance of Christ, his 
power, glory, and wisdom) as also that order »nd mean 
which is seen among his faithful servants, his Church and 
people, even such as our spiritual Solomon rules in and 
over by his spirit and power. Here is Solomon or man of 
peace, elsewhere called the Prince of Peace ; and as Solo- 
mon ruled in Jerusalem, formerly called Salem, or City of 
Peace, and indeed over all Judah, and over all his tribes, 
so doth Christ in his kingdom every where upon the face 
of the whole earth. Learn this ; see and know in and for 
thyself, that thou art truly translated out of the kingdom 
of death and darkness into the kingdom of Christ, which 
is a kingdom of power, life, light, peace, and joy in the 
Holy Ghost. I was much bowed down in my spirit, and 
in weakness, fasting, and in much fear; for the more that 
Truth appears, the more it brings the creature into self- 
abasement. 

A passage is here revived to my mind, which was thus : 
after a large Yearly Meeting, where were many able minis- 
ters, one of whom was worthy William Penn, who, taking 
me aside after the meeting, said. The main part of the 
service of this day's work went on thy side, and we saw it, 
and were willing and easy to give way to the Truth, though 
it was through thee, who appears but like a shrub; and it 
is but reasonable the Lord should make use of whom He 
pleases. Now, methinks, thou mayest be cheerful. From 
which I gathered, that he thought I was too much inclin- 
able to be cast down; therefore I gave him this true answer, 
I endeavour to keep in a medium, out of all extremes, as 
believing it to be most agreeable to my station, — with this 
remark, the worst of my times rather imbittered the best 
to me. William shook his head and said, with much re- 



QZ LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

spect, There are many who steer in this course besides 
thee, and it is the safest path for us to walk in; with 
several other expressions which bespoke affection. 

This worthy man and minister of the gospel, notwith- 
standing his great endowments and excellent qualifications, 
yet thought it his place to stoop to and give way to the 
Truth, and let the holy testimony go through whom it 
might please the Lord to impower and employ in His work, 
although it might be through contemptible instruments. 
I sincerely desire this may prove profitable to those whom 
it may concern, and into whose hands it may come, that 
the Lord's work may be truly minded and given way unto, 
when it is opened ; for seeing no man can open it, let not 
any strive on the man's part to shut the same. I have at 
times seen something of this nature, which hath not been 
altogether to my satisfaction : a word to the wise may serve, 
I would hope, and may be sufficient for a caution, for what 
I have written is in the love of Grod, and under a concern 
that hath been upon my mind at times, for some years, to 
leave behind me a gentle caution to my tender friends of 
both sexes, to have an especial care in all things to recom- 
mend not only their gifts, but their demeanour in them, 
as also their conversations after them, to every man's con- 
science in the sight of Grod, so that you may build up the 
Lord's house (like the wise woman); and always have a 
great care, that nothing you say or do may any way tend 
to the hindrance of the Lord's work, or discourage the 
weakest in the flock of Christ, but labour to fasten every 
stake, and strengthen every cord of Zion, and as much as 
you are capable, build up the Tabernacle in Jerusalem ; 
for as Grod is a Spirit, and the soul of man is a spiritual 
existence, and as the soul and body of man become sancti- 
fied and prepared as a temple for the Lord by His Holy 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 83 

Spirit to tabernacle in, the Lord is to such as a sanctuary 
to fly to and rest in from heats and from storms. Here 
is the true Church's rock and place of defence (to wit), 
the name and ^ower of the mighty God. Oh ! that all 
the inhabitants of the earth were acquainted with this 
name and rock of defence, they would not then be so much 
overcome, as they are, with the power of the enemy of the 
soul, but would live above his region, which is in the earth, 
or rather, in the earthly hearts of men. All you who have 
escaped the pollutions of the world, keep in your tents, 
until the Lord moves and leads forward, and opens the 
way, sometimes as in a wilderness. 

Read and understand from whence these things have 
their rise and original, for there is the Church's safety 
and its comeliness too, in abiding in the Truth; this is your 
place of safety where the enemy has no power, where the 
wiles of Satan and inventions of man cannot reach. No 
enchantment hath power over these, renowned be the great 
name of the Lord now and for ever. 

How comfortable, how easy, and pleasant are even all 
the books, and testimonies, and exhortations that are given 
forth in the Spirit, Love, and Life of Christ ! yea, the very 
company and conversation of such who are preserved in 
the Life becomes a sweet savour of Divine Life to the 
living. There is edification, comfort, and consolation, — a 
strengthening and building up one of another in the most 
holy and precious faith; so that I find the truly quickened 
soul taketh great delight to resort to and, as much as may 
be, converse with the awakened and truly quickened souls 
who take up the cross of Christ daily, and follow him in 
the way of self-denial, although it be a way that is much 
spoken against by such who know not the nature and dis- 
cipline of the Holy Cross, and despise such who are true 



84 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

'^ 

followers of Christ. To feel this essential virtue, seed, or 
leaven of the kingdom, or salt of the covenant (Christ), to 
work so effectual to the restoring of the powers and facul- 
ties of the soul into the first rectitude and purity, that all 
the malignity may be thoroughly purged out, with all the 
dross or tin, which defileth the man and makes him unfit 
for the kingdom and for the service of God, is a great 
work. Neither is the vessel preserved clean (when it is 
in degree cleansed), but through great care, watchfulness, 
and diligence in attending upon the Lord, with great de- 
votedness and resignation to His mind and will in all 
things. Experience hath taught us, as well as what we 
read in the Holy Scriptures, that there are many combats 
to go through for such as are engaged in this warfare, be- 
fore the above-said state, viz., delivery from sin and Satan, 
and a sabbatical or peaceful rest in Christ, can be obtained 
by the soul. 

Come thou that lovest the light, and bringest thy 
deeds to the light, and believest in the light, and hast thy 
body full of light, by keeping thy eye single to God, and 
in and to all things that may tend to His glory and thy 
duty, — thou wilt become a child of the light, and receive 
the whole armour of light : this is that which will arm 
thee on the right hand and on the left. Put off thy own 
righteousness, which it may be thy breast hath been too 
much possessed with, and put on Christ's righteousness as 
a breast-plate, for it much imboldens in imminent dangers, 
and also at approaching death : wait upon him that hath 
power, that thy feet may be shod with the preparation of 
the gospel of peace; so that as the gospel-power and gos- 
pel-ministry all tend to gather in the ways of the gospel 
and of virtue, thou mayest not fail to be a preacher of 
righteousness in thy walking and in thy whole conversa- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 85 

tion. For this is one of the good ends for which the gos- 
pel-power hath reached and visited thy soul, viz., to purge 
it and make it clean; and take care to have upon thy head 
the helmet of salvation, which will be a strength and as a 
crown to thee, not only in thy many encounters, but more 
especially in thy last encounter with death ; and that thou 
mayest have faith as a shield to put on, that thou mayest 
overcome the world and have victory; and above all things, 
take to thyself the sword of the spirit, which is the Word 
of Grod, that through this excellent armour of proof thou 
mayest be able to quench all the fiery darts and tempta- 
tions of the devil. 

If thou art a soldier of Christ, this is thy armour; 
these are thy accoutrements, which fit thee for thy voca- 
tion, as a follower of the Lamb, through many encounters 
with thy enemies ; which armour will give thee the victory 
and bring thee through many tribulations, which is the 
way to the kingdom of heaven. 



86 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 



CHAPTER lY. 

Leaves New England and Nantucket — Arrives at Lynn — George 
Keith — His Boasting and False Statements — John Richardson's 
Answer to the Same — A Slander Refuted — George Keith's 
Confession — Priest Sheppard silenced — Visits Long Island — 
Thomas Story — John Rodman — A True Account of George 
Keith's Conduct. 

Now leaving the eastern parts of New England, and 
these fine tender people on Nantucket Island, with fervent 
supplications and prayers to the Lord of heaven and earth 
that He would prosper His blessed work of conversion 
which he had begun amongst them, and in all such upon 
the face of the whole earth, in the next place I came to 
Lynn, to Samuel Collins, where I had not been long before 
I met with an unusual exercise, which I had expected for 
some time would fall upon me, viz. : — 

Having heard of Gi-eorge Keith's intention of being 
at Lynn Monthly .Meeting the next day, (this Lynn, as 
near as I remember, lies between Salem in the east part 
and Boston), the evening coming on, as I was writing to 
some friends in Old England, one came in haste to desire 
me to come down, for Gleorge Keith was come to the door, 
and a great number of people and a priest with him, and 
was railing against Friends exceedingly. I said, inasmuch 
as I understand this Lynn Meeting is, although large, 
mostly a newly-convinced people, I advise you to be swift 
to hear, but slow to speak, for George Keith hath a life in 
argument; and let us as a people seek unto and cry 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 87 

mightily to tlie Lord, to look down upon us and help us 
for His name's sake, for our preservation, that none may 
be hurt. 

The country was much alarmed; for, as Friends said, 
George Keith had given notice two weeks before hand 
that he intended to be at this Monthly Meeting, and the 
people were in great expectation to hear the Quakers run 
down; for Greorge Keith had boasted much of what he 
would prove against Friends. So after some pause, retire- 
ment, and fervent seeking to the Lord for direction and 
counsel in this important affair, I went to the rails, and 
leaned my arms on them near George Keith's horse's head, 
as he sat on his back, and many people were with him ; 
but the few Friends who were come stood with me in the 
yard. My fervent prayers were to the Lord, that if He 
gave me any thing to speak to George, it might go forth 
in that power and wisdom which was able to wound that 
wicked spirit in which he appeared, and boasted over 
Friends after the following manner, crying. Is here a man 
that is a scholar ? is here a man that understands the lan- 
guages amongst you? If so, I will dispute with him. I 
told him, it was probable that the English tongue was most 
generally understood and used amongst that people, and 
therefore I thought it was the best to keep to it. He went 
on and said. That he was come in the Queen's name to 
gather the Quakers from Quakerism to the Mother Church, 
the good old Church of England, and that he intended to 
exhibit in our meeting on the morrow these charges fol- 
lowing against us, which, he said, he could prove we were 
guilty of, out of our Friends' books, viz. : Errors, heresies, 
damnable doctrines, and blasphemies. Look, said he, to 
answer for yourselves, for if you do not, the auditory will 
conclude that what I exhibit against you is true. 



88 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

I was roused up in my spirit in a holy zeal against his 
wicked insults and great threatenings, and said to him, 
that it was the fruit of malice and envy, and that he was 
to us but as an heathen man and a publican (but more 
of this anon). Then he began to cast what slurs and 
odiums he could upon Friends, with such bitter invectives 
as his malice could invent. I stood with an attentive ear 
and a watchful mind ; for as I stood leaning upon the rails 
with no small concern upon my mind, I felt the Lord's 
power arise, and by it my strength was renewed in the 
inner man, and faith, wisdom, and courage with it, so that 
the fear of man, with all his parts and learning, was taken 
from me ; and in this state Greorge Keith appeared to me 
but as a little child, or as nothing. Eenowned be the most 
excellent name of the Lord, now and for ever. But this 
great champion (Groliah-like, at least in his mind), I sup- 
posed, feared not any there : he overlooked us all, and in 
the pride of his heart disdained us; but the Lord of 
heaven and earth looked down upon us in a very accepta- 
ble time, and helped us for His name's sake, and covered 
our heads in the day of battle. Glorified be His great 
name for ever. 

I have sometimes thought to omit some part of this 
account concerning George Keith, but I remember it 
opened very clearly in my mind then, and I said to him, 
that the Hand of the Lord was against him, and that He 
would pour forth contempt upon him for his disobedience 
and wickedness. 

But to return to his reflections : he said, The Quakers 
pretend to be against all ceremonies, but he could prove 
that they used many ceremonies, as taking one another by 
the hand, and men saluting one another, and women doing 
so to one another; and he said, that women did salute men, 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 89 

yea, tliey had done it to him ; as it was generally under- 
stood by those who heard him, which I thought not worthy 
my notice (but more of this anon). He went on and said, 
The Quakers pretended to be against all persecution, but 
they were not clear; for the Quakers in Pennsylvania and 
the Jerseys had persecuted him, and would have hanged 
him, but that there was some alteration in the government. 

Then came out one of my arrows which cut and 
wounded him deep : I said, Greorge, that is not true. Upon 
that the priest drew near and appeared very brisk, and 
said, I had as good as charged Mr. Keith (as he called 
him) with a lie. I replied, give me time, and I will prove 
that which Greorge said was not true, and then thou and 
he may take your advantage to rescue him from that 
epithet of a liar, if you can. The priest said, I knew not 
Mr. Keith. I replied, if he knew him as well as I did, 
he would be ashamed to be there as an abettor of him. 
The priest got away, and troubled me no more in all the 
engagements that Greorge and I had afterwards (although 
the said priest was with him). Then I demanded of 
Greorge, what way our Friends proceeded against him, and 
what measures they took, as he would insinuate, to bring 
him to the gallows ? But I perceived fear began to sur- 
prise the hypocrite, and he thinking by my boldness I was 
an inhabitant of those parts, and knew his abuse to Friends 
in these provinces, and their peaceable behaviour toward 
him, was willing to let the matter drop, and demanded my 
name, which was told him. I then asked, how he could 
have a face to urge such a notorious untruth in the view 
of that people, who were much strangers to, and ignorant 
of, the troubles and differences, chiefly created by him, 
among Friends in those parts ? 

This meeting (as before mentioned) being generally 
8* 



90 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON, 

newly convinced of tlie Trutli, therefore I urged to ha\e 
him come to the particulars of Friends' proceedings against 
him, that even for very shame among those strangers he 
would set forth, as far as he could in Truth, the steps 
Friends had taken in persecuting him, as he pretended ; 
but he would not meddle in the least with it. Then I 
showed him, and the people, the falsity of his charge and 
the wickedness of his spirit, and the peaceableness of 
Friends' behaviour toward him, and what great affronts 
and provocations they had put up with at his hand, as I 
had it from those who were eye and ear witnesses of it : 
for. as I showed G-eorge Keith, I had searched into the 
bottom of these matters, and heard that when he stood 
before governors and assembly-men in their courts of judi- 
cature, when they were met about the affairs of the three 
provinces, he has tore open his buttons and told them. His 
back tickled for a whipping, and could they not cut him 
into collops, and fry, and eat them with salt ; and that he 
scorned they should wipe his shoes : all which, with much 
more, I told him, I could prove against him. And when 
he saw he could not provoke Friends to give him some 
condign punishment, which I thought, as I said to him, 
none but Friends would have spared, especially when his 
back tickled so much for a whipping; but they like men of 
peace and religion overlooked it all, and he like a man full 
of malice, rather than want something to slur and blacken 
Friends with, wrote a letter I know not where, but dated it 
from Bridlington Prison, in West Jersey. It must have 
been dated on the outside of the prison, the doors being 
locked, so that he could not get into it; yet this went cur- 
rent afar off, that George Keith was in prison, — conse- 
quently by Friends' procurement, they being chief at the 
helm of government in those three provinces. 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 91 

I asked, what he had to say to all this, for it was all 
proveable ? He did not object one word against what I 
had said, but vainly hoping for better success relating to 
his undertaking in Old England, finding me (as he might 
suppose) so well versed in the American affairs, hoped (no 
doubt) that I had been more ignorant of the affairs in 
Britain. But, poor man, he sped as ill there also; for he 
boastingly said. Since it pleased God to open his eyes to 
see into the worst of the Quakers' errors, — although, he 
said, charity did oblige him to construe every thing at the 
best whilst in fellowship with them, — but since they were 
so opened, as he said, he had been instrumental to bring 
from Quakerism, to the good old Mother Church in Old 
England, five hundred people. I replied, that is not true. 
If he rightly considered what he had done in Old England, 
he had little cause to boast ; for, I said, I thought about 
as many persons as he spoke of hundreds would make up 
the number there, and if there was occasion, I could name 
all or most of them; and withal told' him, that some of 
those few, whilst among us, were grown to be neither hon- 
ourable nor comfortable to us. I urged George, if he 
could, to name or make appear more in number than I had 
mentioned, that he had so gathered, as he had falsely said. 
This was a very great stroke upon him, and put him to a 
stand. 

He then began to ask of my country, and from whence 
I came ? With the account of which I humoured him; yet 
withal put him in mind of his great brag, and importuned 
him to make something appear toward that great matter 
he had done in Old England, even for very shame ; for I 
was ashamed for him, that a man of his learning, parts, 
and pretensions should so expose himself; but he went no 
farther about it. Then I showed to the people what sort 



92 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

of a man lie was, (as tliey themselves could not but see, 
wlio were impartial,) and that lie was not worthy of our 
notice ; for he cared not what he said, so that he could 
but calumniate and abuse us. 

By this time he appeared somewhat glutted with the 
sharp sword and keen arrow the Lord gave me, which cut 
and wounded deep, so that from this time I did not find 
in our after encounters, he appeared at any time so bold 
and desperately hardy, but rather expressed himself, al- 
though very wickedly, yet in a softer tone. He was now 
for being gone, threatening us with what he would do on 
the morrow; but I reminded him, that he was to us as an 
heathen man or a publican, and that what he exhibited 
against us, being but the fruits of wrath and envy, as such 
we slighted and trod it under our feet as dirt, and rather 
desired his absence than his company. So away he went, 
only telling us he would be with us in the morning. We 
understood by it, that he intended to be with us at the 
Friend's house, the meeting-house being about a quarter 
of a mile from our lodgings. 

The evening coming on, the neighbouring Presbyte- 
rian women fell hard upon our women Friends about their 
saluting men, which Greorge Keith had charged upon 
them, as was generally understood, in the plural, and this 
appeared as a confirmation, as they alledged, because when 
charged, I made no reply to it, as I had done to all or 
most other charges, and had overthrown Mr. Keith, as 
they said, so that he was not able to stand before me; 
they ought to have said before the Lord in the first place. 
But how the women might clear themselves of that reflec- 
tion was the present business. I said, I thought it would 
be the best at a suitable time in the morning, when George 
Keith was come, that by handsomely bringing the matter 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 93 

over him, they might learn what women they were who 
saluted him, and so clear themselves from the reflection 
cast upon them; for, I said, perhaps he will limit it to 
some of his near kindred (as wife, mother, sister, daugh- 
ter), which may serve for a salvo in this present case; for 
I did not know of any such general practice in any place 
where I had been, and I had visited most of the meetings 
in England, Scotland, and Wales. So in the morning 
when George with two priests, and many people, were 
come, with some Friends, who filled the house, a woman 
Friend stood up and brought the matter discreetly over 
George Keith. But when she put the question in the 
plural (women), he shifted the term and said, He did not 
say women. I desired the Friend to call to her neigh- 
bours who heard what George Keith had said the last 
evening, and were now present, how they understood the 
word ? One like a wise and just man said, He would do 
justice to every man, and he understood that George said 
women ; and many said to the same purpose, but none to 
the contrary. The Friends asked me, How I understood 
the word ? as being a North-country man, I might know 
better the North or Scotch dialect than they. I replied, 
they had a broad way of expressing the word woman, 
rather sounding it like the plural; but I understood it 
women, as the above-mentioned discreet man had said. 

The next question she put to him was. What woman ? 
He answered, A good old motherly woman that was gone 
to heaven many years ago. Then she asked, What coun- 
try-woman ? He replied, A Scotch woman. The Friend 
said, It was very well that he had cleared all the world of 
that fault (if it might be so termed), but Scotland, and the 
woman dead many years ago. The women Friends were 
greatly satisfied, and glad they were so finely discharged 



94 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

of that which, some counted a foul reflection, and especially 
before their zealous neighbours the Presbyterians, who 
(as the Friends' said) probably might have twitted them 
with it, whether the matter was true or false, if it had not 
been cleared up; but, as I said to George, it was a reflec- 
tion for reflection's sake, — for I was willing to set every 
thing that was wrong (as far as I was capable) in its pro- 
per light, that Friends and others, of all persuasions and 
qualities who were present, might see things as they really 
were, and not be deceived; and I had much satisfaction 
in so doing. And inasmuch as I was engaged in the de- 
fence of the Truth, it appeared the most clear to me to 
load him with his own lies, mistakes, and wickedness, and 
to do what we did, as much as in us lay, in the Lord's 
mighty power; for he appeared to me like to the angels 
who kept not their first estate. 

Matters being thus far gone through, and the meeting 
time drawing on, I was in some concern of mind lest any 
should be hurt by either hearing or answering Greorge 
Keith, he having a great propensity to jangling; it there- 
fore opened in my mind to ask him a question, withal re- 
minding him, that he was but to us as an heathen man or a 
publican, yet he might, if he pleased, answer me the ques- 
tion, which was. Whether he was always sound in the 
fundamental doctrines of Christianity, yea or nay ? Upon 
which he sat a considerable time in silence, of which I was 
truly glad, my spirit being much bowed under the appre- 
hension I had of the weighty exercise that was likely to 
attend the approaching meeting. But, before we parted, 
G-eorge stood up, and taking his stafi" in his hand by the 
middle, said. While he was a Quaker, he thought as Paul 
thought, that he had the Spirit of God; and when he had 
the Spirit of God, then he wrote sound things, but when 



t 
LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 95 

he had it not, then he wrote unsound things. I asked, 
whether these unsound things he wrote were in funda- 
mentals, yea or nay ? If not in fundamentals, then my 
question remained firm and untouched. He would have 
gone from the matter, but I reminded him of it again, as 
I supposed he foresaw that he could not answer it but by 
bringing a stroke upon himself; for if he had owned his 
being unsound, I had it under his own hand, in a book 
written after he left Friends, that he was always sound, etc. 
And if he had said, he was always sound in the funda- 
mentals, as before, then I intended to have asked, why he 
left us ? For he advocated the same orthodox principles 
which we believed and taught : but we ended quietly, and 
prepared to go to the great meeting, for by this time many 
Friends and people were come, and coming from every 
quarter, to see and hear how matters would go between the 
poor Quakers and this great champion in his heart, George 
Keith ; for I thought he most resembled the great Goliah 
of Gath, who defied the armies of the living God, of any 
I had ever yet seen in all my travels, in a religious respect. 
Now to the meeting we went : George Keith, with two 
priests, and a great many people gathered together of sev- 
eral professions and qualities into one body, and Friends 
and some friendly people into another body; and as we 
came near to the meeting-house, I stood still, and took a 
view of the people, and it appeared to me fts if two armies 
were going to engage in battle. There appeared with 
George Keith men of considerable estates, parts, and learn- 
ing, and we appeared like poor shrubs ; and, under a sense 
of our present state, I had like to have been dismayed, and 
my foith had even like to have failed me; but I cried 
mightily to the God and Fountain of all our tender mercies, 
that He would look down upon us and help us in this time 



96 LIFE or JOHN RICHARDSON. 

of great exercise, whicL. was not liid from Him ; but His 
penetrating eye saw, and His watchful Providence attended 
us, blessed be His name for ever. I continued my fervent 
prayers and intercessions to tbe Lord of Hosts, tbat He 
would arise for His great name's sake and work for us tbat 
day, tbat the enemies of Truth might not triumph or vaunt 
over us, and that none of these tender plants, which He 
had brought to the saving knowledge of the Truth, might 
be hurt. 

I had no sooner thus heartily sought to the Lord, but 
I felt renewed strength come upon me, and the fear of man 
was taken away from me, and I saw evidently that Truth 
would have the victory that day, and my faith and confi- 
dence was greatly strengthened in the Lord. These breath- 
ings forth of my spirit to the Lord were in secret, without 
words to be heard by men, but the Lord hears and knows 
the distress and language of the spirit. 

Being thus encouraged in myself, it arose in my heart 
to speak to Friends before we went into the meeting-house, 
and I advised them to be swift to hear and slow to speak, 
and that what was spoken might be in the Lord's power, 
for that wounds Greorge the most, and slays that wicked 
and ranting spirit in him, more than all the wisdom of 
words without it; and let us maintain our testimony of 
denial against him, and endeavour to get together into one 
body, that we may be a help and strength one to another; 
and let every one who knows the Lord, cry mightily unto 
Him, that His living power and presence may be amongst 
us, and I believed the Lord would not suffer any to be 
hurt. So the meeting gathered, and immediately after, 
George stood up to tell us (as before). That he was come 
in the Queen's name to gather Quakers from Quakerism to 
the good old Mother Church, the Church of England (as 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 97 

he called it), and that he could prove out of our own 
books that we held errors, heresies, damnable doctrines, 
and blasphemies ; with a threat to look to ourselves to an- 
swer, or else the auditory would conclude that what he 
exhibited against us was true. I expected that some of 
the elder Friends would say something to him, but none 
did; and I having a deep concern upon my mind, lest 
Truth or the friends of Truth should suffer through our 
mismanagement, and such as waited for occasion might 
have an occasion administered by us against ourselves, — I 
say, under this concern of mind I stood up, and signified 
to the people what manner of man George Keith was; 
notwithstanding he had walked many years amongst us, 
yet toward the latter end of his so walking with us he 
grew very troublesome, by reason of a contentious spirit 
which did possess him ; and after much labour, and exer- 
cising of patience and extending of love toward him, in 
order to recover and reclaim him, all that labour of love 
and much forbearance would not avail, but he still per- 
sisted in the work of contention and disturbance. Then 
he was publicly disowned and testified against by us, as a 
person with whom we had no unity or fellowship; and 
being thus cast out, he became to us (agreeable to the say- 
ings of Jesus Christ) as an heathen man or a publican ; 
and being thus disjointed, to expose us what lay in his 
power to all sorts of people, he chose printing against us, 
wherein he hath much abused us, in leaving out many 
times the explanatory parts of sentences, and coining 
words to make the meaning appear different from what 
was designed, and, indeed, from what was most fair and 
genuine ; therefore some of our Friends found themselves 
concerned to follow him in print, for the clearing us from 
what he, through envy, would have willingly fastened upon 



98 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

US, and to return his self-contradictions, misinterpretations, 
and misapplications of our writings upon himself, and to 
clear our own innocency, and manifest tlie perverseness 
and wickedness of his spirit: neither do we, as a people, 
hold ourselves to be under any obligation to follow him into 
foreign parts of the world, to answer his arraingments and 
charges, not being conscious to ourselves that we hold any 
thing contrary to sound and orthodox doctrine ; and also 
knowing that what he exhibits against us is the fruit of 
envy and malice, as such we reject it and trample it under 
our feet ; and were it not for your sakes, who are strangers 
to these things, we should take no further notice of George 
Keith than to slight and reject him, as a man that cares 
not what he says, nor is he worthy of our notice. 

Then pausing a little, Gleorge being quiet, a Friend 
stood up with a short but living testimony, and then my 
companion ; all this with much weight and with good 
demonstration. After them it pleased the Lord to open 
my mouth, I think in as much strength, clearness, and 
demonstration as ever, beginning with the following words. 
In that way you call heresy do we worship the Grod of our 
fathers, believing all things that are written concerning 
Jesus Christ, both as to his Godhead and manhood ; giv- 
ing a summary account of his birth, working of miracles, 
some of his doctrine, sufferings, and death, ascension and 
glorification, the coming of the Spirit of Truth, or Com- 
forter, to lead all those who receive, believe, and obey it 
into all Truth, — having great openings concerning the 
law and prophets, and the beginning, service, and end of 
the ministration of John the Baptist. The people ap- 
peared very much down and attentive, for the Lord's heav- 
enly baptizing power was amongst us that day. It was 
thought, many were there who had not been at any of our 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 99 

meetings of worsliip before, and the presence of tlie priests 
there opened a door for all the rest. 

I, being clear, left them unto the Grrace of God, and 
unto their free teacher Christ, whose heavenly power in 
the appearance of his Spirit, the last and lasting dispen- 
sation, was exalted that day above all the shadowy and 
typical things that ever had been in the world. A good 
meeting it was, and Friends were mutually comforted and 
edified in the internal presence of the Lord. 

The priest of this place, whose name was Sheppard, 
before my mouth was opened in testimony, made prepara- 
tion to write, and when I began to speak, he had his hat 
upon his knee and his paper upon its crown, and pen and 
ink in his hands, and made many motions to write, but 
wrote nothing ; as he began so he ended, without writing 
at all. And as Friends entered the meeting-house in the 
Lord's power, even that power, which cut Eahab and 
wounded the dragon, which had been at work, kept down 
in a good degree the wrong spirit in George, for he ap- 
peared much down; but this busy priest called to him 
several times to make his reply to what I had spoken. 
After some time I said to the priest, in behalf of the meet- 
ing, that he might have liberty to make reply. He pro- 
posed to have another day appointed for a dispute : to 
which I said, if he did make a voluntary challenge, which 
he should not say we put him upon, we or some of us 
(meaning Friends), if a day and place were agreed upon, 
should find it our concern to answer him as well as we 
could. He said. He would have Mr. Keith to be with 
him. I told him, if he should, and meddle in the dispute, 
if I was there, I should reject him for reasons before as- 
signed. When the priest had said this and somewhat 
more, an elder of the Presbyterian congregation clapped 



100 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

him on tlie shoulder, and bid liim sit down ; so he was 
quiet, and then stood up Greorge Keith, and owned he had 
been refreshed amongst us that day, and had heard a great 
many sound Truths, with some errors, but that it was not 
the common doctrine which the Quakers preached. 

I then stood up and said, I had something to say to 
obviate what George Keith would insinuate ; for his drift 
was to infuse an opinion into them, that the Quakers did 
not commonly preach up faith in the manhood of Christ, 
as I had done that day. I appealed to the auditory, 
whether they thought there was a necessity frequently to 
press a matter so universally received amongst Christians 
as faith in the manhood of Christ ? Yet we, as a people, 
had so often and clearly demonstrated our faith in the 
manhood of Christ, both in our testimonies and writings, as 
might satisfy any unbiassed person, or such who were not 
prejudiced against us; and we know not of any people 
who believe more scripturally in the manhood of Christ 
than we do; but inasmuch as the Grace, Light, and Holy 
Spirit is highly concerned in the work of man's salvation, 
as well as what Christ did for us without us, and this being 
yet much a mystery to many called Christians, it pleases 
God to open in the course of our ministry into the mean- 
ing and mystery thereof, and to press the latter more than 
the former. To which George made no reply, but began 
to exhibit his charges against us (as mentioned before), 
and said, he could prove them out of our Friends' books, 
naming George Fox and Edward Burrough, etc. He had 
in a paper a great many quotations out of Friends' books, 
and a young man with him had many books in a bag, out 
of which, he said, he would prove the charges he was 
about to exhibit against us. 

He was now crowded up into the gallery between me 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 101 

and the rail, with a paper in his hand, and I standing 
over him, and being taller, could see his quotations and his 
paraphrases upon them; on which I told him loudly, that 
all the meeting might hear, that he offered violence to that 
sense and understanding which Grod had given him, and 
he knew in his conscience we were not that people, neither 
were our Friends' writings either damnable or blasphe- 
mous, as he through envy endeavoured to make the world 
believe; and that he would not have peace in so doing, 
but trouble from the Lord in his conscience. I spoke in 
the Lord's dreadful power, and George trembled so much 
as I seldom ever saw any man do. I pitied him in my 
heart, yet, as Moses said once concerning Israel, I felt the 
wrath of the Lord go forth against him. George said. Do 
not judge me: I replied, the Lord judges, and all who are 
truly one in spirit with the Lord cannot but judge thee. 
So he gave over, and it appearing a suitable time to break 
up the meeting, Friends parted in great love, tenderness, 
and brokenness of heart; for the Lord's mighty power had 
been in and over the meeting from the beginning to the 
end thereof, glorified and renowned be His most excellent 
name now and for ever, for His mercies are many to those 
that love and feal* Him who is the fulness of all good. 

This meeting was not only for worship, but also for 
business, as I said to the people at our parting : it was 
Friends' Monthly Meeting, in which their poor, fatherless? 
and widows were taken care of, and such other things as 
concern them as a people. Two Friends were desired to 
stay, to hear what George had to say to them who re- 
mained, which said two Friends gave an account to us 
afterwards, that George said to the people after we were 
gone, that the Quakers had left none to dispute with him 
but an ass and a fool : when I heard it, I said, could you 

9* 



102 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

not have replied, An ass was once made sufficient to re- 
prove the madness of the Prophet. 

George called to see me the next day, and said. You 
had the advantage over me yesterday, for you persuaded 
me to be quiet until you had done, and then you would 
not stay to hear me ; neither indeed were we under any 
obligation so to do. I told him, I hoped that Truth would 
always have the advantage over those who opposed it, and 
so we parted, but met again upon Rhode Island, — the gov- 
ernor of which place, who was a friendly man, having heard 
of my intention of coming thither, ordered the deputy- 
governor when I came to have me to him, which he did; 
and when he saw me at the door, and after inquiry heard 
my name, he took me by the hand and led me like a 
brother, or rather more like a tender father, into a room 
setting me down by him, and then began to say, I have 
heard much of you, and desired to see you long, and am 
glad you are here. I finding him near me in spirit, was 
very open in my mind to him, and answered him with 
much clearness and satisfaction. I remember he asked, 
whether I thought the sourness in the minds of the Pres- 
byterians against us was not rather abated ? I told him, 
I did believe it was; and if our Friends did but observe to 
walk wisely, and live up to what they professed, they would 
overcome it all. He said. That was the way, and there 
was not another comparable to it ; and, as he said, and I 
believe it was so, he had no other view in sending for me, 
but to manifest his respects to me and to do me any ser- 
vice that lay in his power. I told him, I was sensible of 
his love, and wished I could be capable of retaliating that 
which in gratitude his kindness to me called for. He said, 
he desired no more than when I came that way I would 
visit him, if he was living. I told him, I intended so to 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 103 

do, if ever it was my lot to come there again. I then de- 
sired lie would be at the meeting next day, George Keith 
proposing to be there, in all likelihood it would be very 
large; which he promised he would, and accordingly came. 

Greorge made little disturbance in the beginning of the 
meeting, but commanded the governor to quiet the Quak- 
ers. A priest said, Mr. Keith, you ought not to command 
the governor, but entreat him: well then, he entreated the 
governor to quiet the Quakers 'that he might be heard. 
Whereupon the governor, like a man of justice and wis- 
dom, stood up and said. It was not in his power to quiet 
the Quakers, inasmuch as the house is theirs, and they 
have appointed the meeting, it is but reasonable they 
should have their liberty; and if they be willing when 
they have done, you have your liberty to say what you 
have to say to those who will stay to hear you. So the 
governor being near me, leaned his hand upon me, and 
went away in a sober manner. Greorge was quiet and we 
had a good meeting, and so parted. 

After most of the Friends were gone, a Friend and I 
went to the meeting-house door, to hear what George 
said. He held his Bible in his hand, and said it was pro- 
mised that the Gospel should be preached unto every crea- 
ture under heaven ; but if it was truly translated, it would 
be in every creature (not in every creature, as horse, cow, 
etc., but in every rational creature of mankind); and then 
their meeting broke up in confusion. 

My next remove was to Long Island, where I met with 
Thomas Story and John Rodman, John desired Thomas 
and me to be assistants to him in preparing a writing 
against George Keith, when he came to Flushing meeting 
upon the aforesaid Island, which writing was to this ef- 
fect, viz. : — 



104 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

Whereas Colonel West, an inhabitant in these parts, 
who died and made Miles Forster a trustee, gave by will a 
considerable sum of money to poor Friends of London, 
which money was ordered by the testator to be put in to 
the hands of some faithful Friends of the aforesaid City 
of London, to distribute as above. A true copy of which 
will we obtained, and at the meeting made it fairly appear 
to Greorge Keith's face, that he had wronged the poor in 
receiving fifty pounds of the aforesaid money of 31iles 
Forster, as appeared under Miles' own hand; which George 
did not deny when he was charged with it in the meeting, 
as knowingly to have robbed the poor : it being made 
fairly appear that George Keith had no right to meddle 
with the money, neither as a faithful Friend nor yet as a 
poor Friend of London, because he was then in America ; 
and what made him more incapable of claiming any part 
of it, was his being got into the spirit of strife and enmity 
against Friends, and therefore, before they could hear his 
charges, he ought to have first laid down the money, or 
given such security as Friends approved of; neither of 
which he was capable of doing: so he was slighted by all or 
most of the people, as well as by Friends, and this blocked 
up his way so much that we had little or no trouble with 
him in that part of the world. But the Lord wrought for 
His name's sake and the preservation of His tender peo- 
ple, praises and honour to be given to His great name now 
and for ever. Thus ended this engagement betwixt a poor 
servant of Christ and a grand apostate, who appeared to 
fight against reason, sense, and conscience. Think, not my 
friends, the account too long, for it hath seemed to me for 
some time a debt due to my brethren, and a piece of jus- 
tice to the memory of George Keith, for his wickedness, 
revolting, and sad apostacy. Few there are who can be- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 105 

lieve liow great the po^^r af darkness and wickedness of 
that mind and spirit was, which possessed and breathed 
through him: so great it was, that even the considerate 
and sober people said, they did not think that Greorge 
Keith had been so wicked a man as they now found he 
was upon trial. Courteous Friend and reader, hold fast 
that which thou hast received, that none may take thy 
crown ; for it is laid up in store for the righteous only, and 
such who hold out to the end in the same pure righteous- 
ness which is of Christ, wrought and continued in man by 
the operation and indwelling of his Holy Spirit, as man 
abideth in subjection and obedience to the leadings and 
dictates thereof. 

I told Greorge, that I was much ashamed of his com- 
plimenting great people : for I observed he sometimes said 
thee and thou, and sometimes you and sir; sometimes put 
his hat off, and sometimes kept it on. I told him, before 
I would be so unhandy, if I intended to be ceremonious, 
I would have gone to school awhile before I would shame 
myself as he had done. If I have not written the very 
words in all my accounts in the preceding pages, I have 
the substance; and for a conclusion, I had to say to George 
Keith, The hand of the Lord was against him, and would 
follow him, unless he repented. 

This account carries in it an admonition to us and to 
Friends in future ages, into whose hands it may come, to 
beware of letting in the spirit of envy, prejudice, and 
pride of heart, which I clearly saw was that which, with 
too much leaning to his natural abilities and learning, was 
his overthrow; he not keeping to the Lord's Holy Spirit, 
the life and strength of His faithful people and the key of 
true knowledge, the good remembrancer and leader into 
all Truth, which the Lord sees meet in His wisdom to open 



106 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

and lead us into ; witliout tlie lielp of wliicli anointing and 
Holy Spirit, we are apt to be cold and forgetful in our 
duties toward Grod, and also in our love and duties one to 
another; but as the measure of this Spirit is faithfully 
kept to and improved, we grow more and more fruitful in 
every good work and word, to the glory of Grod and com- 
fort of our souls, and, as the salt of the earth, help to 
season those who are not seasoned. 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 107 



CHAPTER V. 

Query of Rhode Island Yearly Meeting — John Richardson's An- 
swer — Exercise in a Meeting in New Jersey — Like Concern in 
Pennsylvania — Rogers, and His Gift — Visits Pennsbury — In- 
terview with William Penn and the Indians — Their Views on 
a Future State — Their Acknowledgment of the Truth — Dis- 
tress of the Wife of a Man who had become a Quaker — Lord 
Baltimore and Wife — Anecdote of the Governor of Virginia — 
Peril — Escape — The Young Presbyterian. 

When I was in the Yearly Meeting upon Rhode 
Island, there was a query concerning what Friends might 
do, in case there should be a levy or tax laid upon the in- 
habitants for building some fortij&cations, and to provide 
men and arms for the security of the island ? Such a thing 
being then in agitation, he who was one of the chief Friends 
concerned in church affairs, would have me give an ac- 
count what we did in the like case in England; for he 
said, they in that country looked upon themselves but as 
the daughter, and Friends here in Old England as their 
mother, and they were willing to act consistent with us as 
far they could, and would know how we did there in that 
matter, whether we could pay to that tax which was for 
carrying on a vigorous war against France ? I was unwil- 
ling to meddle with it, as I said ; but the meeting waited 
a considerable time for my answer (as one told me), and 
was not willing to go forward without it. At last, when I 
could not well do otherwise, I signified to that large meet- 
ing, that I had heard the matter debated both in superior 



108 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

and inferior meetings, and privately, and the most general 
result was this : Friends did not see an eiFectual door 
opened to avoid the thing, that tax being mixed with the 
other taxes, — although many Friends are not so easy as 
they could desire ; neither have we any further sway in 
the government, than only giving our voices for such as 
are concerned therein; therefore, as things appear to me, 
there is a great disparity between our circumstances and 
yours here, — for you have a great interest here, and a great 
share in the government, and perhaps may put such a 
thing by in voting, considering the body of Friends, and 
such as are friendly, whom you have an interest in. There- 
fore, look not for help from the mother, wherein she is not 
capable of helping herself, and thereby neglect your own 
business; but mind your own way in the Truth, and look 
not out. Friends appeared well satisfied with these dis- 
tinctions, and it gave me some ease, in that I had not 
hurt any. 

During my stay in one of the Jerseys, a great weight, 
more than usual, seized upon my spirit as I sat in a meet- 
ing, and under a sense of the same my cries ascended unto 
the Lord, the Fountain of all tender mercies, that He would 
please to show me what was the cause of that great power 
of darkness which did so oppress my spirit ; and it pleased 
the Lord to show me, that a man there had been guilty of 
some gross wickedness ; and when it appeared clear to me, 
to be required of me to express it publicly, it became a 
very great exercise to me, and some reasonings I had, 
before I gave up to make it public to that large meeting 
of Friends and other people. I laboured under it till 
toward the conclusion of the meeting, but finding my peace 
concerned very nearly in the matter, I stood up in the 
gallery and said. Under a sense of some gross wickedness 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 109 

committed by some person not far from me, hath my spirit 
been borne down ; wbicb wickedness will in a short time 
break forth to the dishonour of Truth and grief of Friends. 
A great man, who sat in the gallery by me, started up and 
seated himself upon the rail of the gallery, with his eyes 
fixed on me, and I fastened in the Lord's dread my eyes on 
him, and said, We have a common maxim in Old England, 
touch a galled horse's back, and he will kick, and I am of 
the opinion he that kicks is not clear. He got down as 
fast as he could out of my way, for he not only prevented 
me from the view of the meeting by sitting there, but his 
uncleanness stood much in the way of my service. 

After the meeting was over, several worthy Friends 
expressed to me the great concern they were under, lest he 
should either by money, or by subtilty, conceal the sin 
and wickedness, if such was committed ; for I found there 
was a great fear and jealousy in the minds of Friends that 
something was wrong with the man, but I was until then 
altogether a stranger to their thoughts and to the state of 
the man ; yet I advised that Friends should have a watch- 
ful eye over him and his family, for I told Friends, my 
spirit was easy in what I had delivered, and I believed the 
evil would not be concealed. So on my return his house- 
keeper had brought forth a child, and charged him with 
being the father of it, which he denied not. Friends then 
asked me, what they should do in the case? I said. Let the 
judgment of Truth go forth against all manifest wicked- 
ness, without respect of persons, that the ever blessed 
Truth, and such as live in it, may be kept clear and in 
good esteem before all men as much as may be. 

Something of the like exercise I met with in a meetins; 
in Pennsylvania, repeating several times what oppression 
my spirit was under, because of some yet hidden wicked- 

10 



110 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

ness, which, in a short time would be brought to light, to 
the blemish of the Truth and great trouble to Friends. 
That very evening, after the meeting, a woman little 
thought on by Friends to be guilty of such a crime, went 
to a worthy Friend and told him. She was the woman that 
had done that great wickedness I had so much complained 
of, and had borne such a great load because thereof; and, 
as the honest Friend said, she wept bitterly, even in the 
very anguish of her soul. He came twelve miles the next 
day to Philadelphia, to acquaint me with the matter, and 
ask my advice, which I gave to this effect : If Friends find 
upon inquiry, in the proper season, that the woman con- 
tinues heartily sorry and truly penitent for what she hath 
done, for godly sorrow worketh repentance, and if from 
such a hearty and penitent sense (which is to be felt be- 
yond words) she gave forth a paper against her wicked 
doings, not so much to ingratiate herself into favour, as 
for the clearing of Truth and Friends, and for the ease 
and peace of her own mind, and took the blame and shame 
to herself, then Friends may pass it by; if not. Friends 
must set the judgment of Truth over manifest wickedness, 
as before mentioned. 

I went to visit a meeting in that part called North 
Wales, which had not been long planted in that place, 
where there was a fine tender people ; but few understand- 
ing English, Rowland Ellis was my interpreter. A good 
meeting it was, and Truth was over all: some, by the in- 
terpreter, expressed their great satisfaction in our visit to 
that meeting, which heretofore had not been counted as 
Friends, but since that have been taken notice of, and 
grown into good esteem with the body of Friends. 

I found it much my work to be concerned in the Disci- 
pline of the Church, which was very low in many places, 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. Ill 

yet I found there was a willingness in many Friends' minds 
to be helped in that needful affair; for surely it is a good 
fence or a help to keep the righteous in, and hurtful and 
wicked things and doings out, if the same be rightly 
handled, and extended as it ought to be in the love and 
wisdom of God. 

There was one thing I had like to have omitted, which 
happened when I was in Rhode Island, viz., one Rogers 
came thither to offer (as he said) his gift in the Yearly 
Meeting amongst Friends ; but they appearing in a great 
strait about him, although he had written in behalf of 
Truth's principles, and suffered imprisonment, and the 
taking away his wife from him, and was not so much as 
suffered to come to converse with his own son, but under 
a guard or watch which was set over him, to hear what 
passed betwixt them, as he told me and some other Friends, 
which Friends said was true ; yet, under the consideration 
of the matter, and clearness of the man's conversation. 
Friends remained in a strait what to do ; and desired that 
I would take the matter upon me, and reason the case with 
him, and try if I could persuade him to be easy, and not 
insist upon any such thing as to promise to receive his 
gift; for otherwise, he said, he would go where it would 
be received. I showed him that it was a thing impracti- 
cable among us, and in itself unreasonable, thiit we should 
be by any pre-engagement obliged to receive that which 
he might call a gift, before we heard it ; if he believed he 
had a gift, he might speak,, and, as the apostle said, we 
might judge. For it was not impossible but he who was 
a scholar and a wise man, and had a strong memory, might 
have gathered certain passages out of the Bible or other 
books, with what other interpretations he might have 
stored up, and speak of and call a gift, which we could 



112 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

not receive as a real gift of the ministry, which stands in 
the Spirit and in the power; and if it be such, it will make 
way for itself, — if not, we cannot receive it. So he went 
away and troubled Friends no more that I heard of. 

When I was at William Penn's country house, called 
Pennsbury, in Pennsylvania, where I staid two or three 
days, on one of which I was at a meeting and a marriage, 
and much of the other part of the time I spent in seeing 
(to my satisfaction) William Penn and many of the In- 
dians (not the least of them) in council and consultation 
concerning their former covenants, now again revived upon 
William Penn's going away for England ; all which was 
done in much calmness of temper and in an amicable way. 
To pass by several particulars, I may mention the follow- 
ing : one was, they never first broke covenant with any 
people ; for, as one of them said, and smote his hand upon 
his head three times, that they did not make them there in 
their heads, but smiting his hand three times on his breast, 
said, they made them (i.e. their covenants) there in their 
hearts. And again, when William Penn and they had 
ended the most weighty parts for which they held their 
council, William Penn gave them match-coats, and some 
other things, with some brandy or rum, or both ; which 
was advised by the speaker for the Indians to be put in 
the hand of one of their cassacks or kings, for he knew the 
best how to order them. Which being done, the said king 
used no compliments, neither did the people, nor the rest 
of their kings ; but as the aforesaid king poured out his 
drams, he only made a motion with his finger, or some- 
times with his eye, to the person which he intended to 
give the dram to. So they came quietly and in a solid 
manner, and took their drams and passed away without 
either nod or bow, any further than necessity required 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 113 

them to stoop, wlio were on their feet, to him who sat on 
the ground or floor, as their choice and manner is; and 
withal I observed (and also heard the like by others) that 
they did not, nor I suppose ever do, speak two at a time, 
nor interfere in the least one with another that way in all 
their councils, as had been observed. Their eating and 
drinking was in much stillness and quietness. 

I much desire that all Christians (whether they may 
be such in reality or profession only) may endeavour to 
imitate these people in those things which are so com- 
mendable, which may be a means to prevent loss of time 
and expedite business; as much as may be endeavouring 
to prevent above one speaking at a time in meetings of 
conference and of business. 

When much of the matters were gone through, I put 
William Penn in mind to inquire of the interpreter, if he 
could find some terms or words that might be intelligible 
to them in a religious sense, by which he might reach the 
understandings of the natives, and inculcate into their 
minds a sense of the principles of Truth, such as Christ's 
manifesting himself to the inward senses of the soul, by 
his Light, G-race, or Holy Spirit, with the manner of the 
operations and working thereof in the hearts of the chil- 
dren of men, and how it did reprove for evil, and minister 
peace and comfort to the soul in its obedience and well- 
doing; or as near as he could, come to the substance of this 
in their own language. William Penn much pressed the 
matter upon the interpreter, to do his best in any terms 
that might reach their capacities, and answer the end in- 
tended ; but the interpreter would not, either by reason^ 
as he alleged, of want of terms, or his unwillingness to 
meddle in religious matters, which I know not, but I rather 
think the latter was the main reason which obstructed 

10* 



114 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

him ; therefore we found notliing was like to be done ac- 
cording to our desires in this matter, as the interpreter 
was but a dark man, and, as William Penn said, a wrong 
man for our present purpose. 

William Penn said, he understood they owned a supe- 
rior power, and asked the interpreter, What their notion 
was of Grod in their own way? The interpreter showed, 
by making several circles on the ground with his staff, till 
he reduced the last into a small circumference, and placed 
as he said, by way of representation, the Grreat Man (as 
they termed him) in the middle circle, so that he could see 
over all the other circles, which included all the earth. 
And we querying what they owned as to eternity, or a 
future state, the interpreter said. They believed when 
such died as were guilty of theft, swearing, lying, whoring, 
murder, etc, they went into a very cold country, where 
they had neither good fat venison nor match-coats, which 
is what they use instead of clothes to cover them withal, 
being of one piece in the form of a blanket or bed-cover- 
ing j but those who died clear of the aforesaid sins, go into 
a fine warm country, where they had good fat venison and 
good match-coats, things much valued by these natives. 
I thought, inasmuch as these poor creatures had not the 
knowledge of Grod by the Scriptures, as we have who are 
called Christians, that what knowledge they had of the 
Supreme Being must be by an inward sensation, or by 
contemplating upon the works of Grod in the creation, or 
probably from some tradition handed down from father to 
son, by which it appears they acknowledge a future state 
of rewards and punishments ; the former of which they 
express by warmth, good clothing and food, and the latter 
by nakedness, pining hunger, and piercing cold. 

I have often thought and said, when I was amongst 



LIFE OP JOHN RICHARDSON. 115 

them, that generally my spirit was very easy, and I did not 
feel that power of darkness to oppress me as I had done 
in many places among the people called Christians. 

After William Penn and they had expressed their sat- 
isfaction, both for themselves and their people, in keeping 
all their former articles unviolated, and agreed that if any 
particular differences did happen amongst any of their 
people, they should not be an occasion of fomenting or 
creating any war between William Penn's people and the 
Indians, but justice should be done in all such cases, that 
all animosities might be prevented on all sides for ever ; 
they went out of the house into an open place not far from 
it, to perform their cantico or worship, which was done 
thus: first, they made a small fire, and the men without 
the women sat down about it in a ring, and whatsoever 
object they severally fixed their eyes on, I did not see 
them move them in all that part of their worship, while 
they sang a very melodious hymn, which affected and ten- 
dered the hearts of many who were spectators. When 
they had thus done, they began (as I suppose is their usual 
manner) to beat upon the ground with little sticks, or 
make some motion with something in their hands, and 
pause a little, till one of the elder sort sets forth his hymn ; 
and that being followed by the company for a few minutes, 
and then a pause ; and then the like was done by another, 
and so by a third, and followed by the company, as at the 
first; which seemed exceedingly to effect them and others. 
Having done, they rose up and danced a little about the 
fire, and parted with some shouting like a triumph or 
rejoicing. 

I leave Pennsbury, but intend before I leave the In- 
dians, to say something more concerning that people, 
which I met with near Caleb Pusey's house in Penns^l- 



116 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

vania, viz. : I being walking in tlie wood, espied several 
wigwams or houses of the Indians, and drew toward them, 
but could not converse with them; but looking over them 
in the love of Grod, I found it to be my way, as I appre- 
hended, to look for an interpreter and go to them again, 
which I did ; and when I came to them and signified that 
I was come from a far country, with a message from the 
Grreat Man above (as they called Grod), and my message 
was to endeavour to persuade them 'that they should not 
be drunkards, nor steal, nor kill one another, nor fight, nor 
commit adultery, nor put away their wives, especially for 
small faults, which (as I understood) is usual with them to 
do ; for if they did those things, the Great and Good Man 
above would be angry with them and would not prosper 
them, but bring trouble on them; but if they were careful 
to refrain from these evils before mentioned, then would 
God love them and prosper them, and speak peace to them, 
or very near these words. And when the interpreter ex- 
pressed these things to them in their own language, they 
wept, and tears ran down their naked bodies, and they 
smote their hands upon their breasts, and I perceived said 
something to the interpreter. I asked what they said. 
He told me they said, All that I had delivered to them was 
good, and except the Great Man had sent me, I could not 
have told them those things. I desired the interpreter to 
ask them, how they knew what I had said to them was 
good? They replied, and smote their hands on their 
breasts. The Good Man here (meaning in their hearts), 
told them what I had said was all good. They manifested 
much love to me in their way, and I believe the love of 
God is to them, and all people in the day of their visi- 
tation. 

Having left them I came to a Friend's house in the 



LIFE OP JOHN RICHARDSON. 117 

lower part of Pennsylvania, wlio was in the office of a Jus- 
tice of Peace, and had been convinced not long before by 
Thomas Story, When I came into the house, the man's 
wife was very uneasy and called me a deceiver, and wrung 
her hands and said, Woe is me, I am undone, my husband 
is deceived ; and what, more deceivers come ! Oh ! how she 
lamented. I was somewhat struck with the passion the 
poor woman was in; however, I said little, but sat down, 
and after some time it rose in my mind to ask her. In what 
her husband was deceived; was he, since he came among 
us, any worse husband to her ? If he was, it was a bad sign. 
Or was he a worse father to his children ? or any worse 
neighbour? or in any particular thing which she could 
name, changed from better to worse, since he was con- 
vinced of the Truth ? If not, she had no great reason to 
complain: if he had turned drunkard, whoremonger, railer, 
fighter, or become a vicious man, she would have had rea- 
son to complain ; but she honestly owned, she had nothing 
to charge him with. He sat by me and heard all our dis- 
course, but said nothing. I told her, she had made a 
lamentable outcry about her husband's being deceived, but 
had not convinced me of any cause that she had received 
from her husband for her sore complaint. 

Being weary, having rode a great way that day, I with 
my companion, Richard Orm, took leave of her husband 
and went to our rest, and saw him no more till the next 
day in the evening, and when he came, I asked him, for 
what reason he left us so long, as he knew how uneasy his 
wife was about us, and that we had a great want of him ? 
He said. He had been giving notice of the meeting twenty 
miles one way, and two men had given notice as far, each 
man his way; that was six-score miles in and out. 

Our landlady, against we rose in the morning, had got 



118 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

anotlier woman, a justice's wife, to lielp her to dispute with 
us and overthrow us as she hoped, but in vain, for Truth 
proved too hard for them; although the other woman 
charged high in the morning, and said, We were no Chris- 
tians. I said, it was easier to charge than to prove; how 
do you prove it ? Because, said they, you deny the pre- 
cious ordinance of Jesus Christ. I asked, if they could 
prove it to be such ? They said. They did not question 
but they could. I said, they should do it from plain texts 
of Scripture, verbatim as it lies, without any inferences, 
consequences, or comments upon the places they insisted 
upon; and they agreed to it. But in case, I told them, 
they should fail and not prove (as they thought they 
could) that ordinance to be so appointed by Christ, I 
hoped then they would allow us to be Christians, notwith- 
standing what they had charged to the contrary; and they 
said, they would. 

I then repeated all the preliminaries, and asked them, 
if they would agree to each particular ? They said, they 
would. I desired Richard Orm to mind them and imprint 
them as much as might be in his memory, for it was like 
enough we should have occasion to call them in question 
before we had done, which came to pass not long after we 
began. They urged the twenty-eighth of Matthew in de- 
fence of water baptism, where Christ said to his disciples, 
Gro ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Grhost : teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I 
have commanded you : and lo! I am with you alway, even 
unto the end of the world. Water not being mentioned, 
the disputants were at a stand, and said, it must be im- 
plied. I showed them that, by their agreements to the 
preliminaries, there were to be no inferences, but plain 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 119 

Scripture. I told them, it was an unreasonable thing to 
undertake to unchristian a great body of religious people 
by a few inferences, which might be true or not true. 
Now when they had tugged at it, and searched the New 
Testament a great while, they could not find what they 
desired, although they urged what Peter said in a certain 
case. Who can forbid water, that these should not be bap- 
tized, who have received the Holy Grhost as well as we ? 
I showed them, that there was a great disparity between a 
servant's question and a master's command. When they 
were even weary with searching, and could not find a posi- 
tive ordinance by Christ for water baptism, they gave it 
over ; and I asked them, if they had not fallen short of 
the proof of what they had so boldly charged upon us in 
the morning? My landlady confessed, They had fallen 
short of their expectation, but the other was in the mind, 
as she said, that it might be proved. I told her, she could 
not prove it from any plain text of Scripture. 

My passionate landlady became more meek and friend- 
ly, and received the Truth in the love of it. We had a 
good meeting the next day, and she said. If I would stay 
that night, I should be as welcome as her own children, 
but if not, she blessed the Lord for my company, and the 
good she had already received by me, and parted with me 
in much brokenness of heart ; and I heard she lived and 
died in good unity with Friends. But oh, how glad was 
her husband to see that great and sudden change wrought 
in her! It was the Lord's doings; to Him be the praise 
now and for ever, for He alone is worthy. 

I had many comfortable meetings in my travels through 
these provinces, and good service. We were at a Yearly 
Meeting at Thirdhaven in Maryland, upon the eastern 
shore, to which meeting for worship came, with William 



120 LIFE OP JOHN RICHARDSON. 

Penn, Lord Baltimore and his lady, witli their retinue, but 
it was late when they came, and the strength and glory of 
the heavenly power of the Lord was going off from the 
meeting. So the lady was much disappointed, as I under- 
stood by William Penn, for she told him, She did not want 
to hear him, and such as he, for he was a scholar and a 
wise man, and she did not question but he could preach ; 
but she wanted to hear some of our mechanics preach, as 
husbandmen, shoemakers, and such like rustics, for she 
thought they could not preach to any purpose. William 
Penn told her, some of these were rather the best preach- 
ers we had amongst us, or near these words. I was a little 
in their company, and I thought the lady to be a notable, 
wise, and withal a courteously carriaged woman. I was 
also in company with the Governor of Virginia, at our 
Friend Richard John's house, upon the West Cliffs in 
Maryland, for we both lodged there one night, and I heard 
that he had been studious in a book against Friends, called 
The Snake, and Friends greatly desired that he might have 
the answer, called The Switch, but knew not how to be so 
free with him as to offer it to him. I told Friends, I would 
endeavour to make way for it. Although he had seemed 
to be a man of few words, yet at a suitable interval I said 
to him, I had heard that he had seen a book, called The 
Snake in the Grrass : he confessed he had. I desired he 
would accept of the answer, and be as studious in it as he 
had been in The Snake; which he promised he would, and 
took the book. 

There happened a passage worthy of note, either in this 
or the proceeding governor's time in Virginia, as I was 
credibly informed, which was thus : the governor wanted 
a cooper to mend his wine, cider, and ale casks, and some 
told him there was a workman near, but he was a Quaker. 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 121 

He said, if lie was a workman, he made no matter what lie 
professed; so the Quaker, such as he was, was sent for, 
and came with his hat under his arm. The governor was 
somewhat at a stand to see the man come in after that 
manner, and asked, if he was the cooper he had sent for? 
He said. Yes. Well, said the governor, are not you a 
Quaker ? Yes, replied the man, I am so called, hut I have 
not been faithful. He then asked. How long have you 
been called a Quaker ? The poor man said, About twenty 
years. Alas! for you, poor man! said the governor, I am 
sorry for you. 

By this we may clearly see, that such who walk most 
up to what they profess are in most esteem among the 
more thinking and religious people ; and the unfaithful 
and loose libertine professors of the Truth are slighted, 
and I believe will be more and more cast out as the un- 
savoury salt, which is good for nought in religion, and is 
indeed trodden under the feet of men ; for a great part of 
the men in the world have such an understanding as to 
know what we profess, and also what we should do and be 
in many things. Let us therefore walk wisely before all, 
and not be an occasion of stumbling, nor give offence 
either to Jew or Gentile, nor to the Church of Grod, that 
so we may indeed be as a city set upon a hill, which cannot 
be hid : nay, that may not desire to be hid, but rather that 
the inhabitants of the earth might see our good works, and 
have an occasion from thence administered to glorify the 
Father which is in heaven. 

I having it on my mind to visit a meeting up the river 
called Perquimus, on the west side of the great river Chop- 
tank, and I being on the east side, Henry Hosier and some 
more Friends set forward with me in a small boat, not in 
good condition, but crazy, with only one small sail. We set 



122 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

out, as we thought, in good time to reach our desired port; 
but when we were upon the great river (as I remember it is 
ten miles over the shortest way. but the manner of our 
crossing it made it more), the wind veered much against 
us, being then within about four points of our course, and 
it rained hard and was very dark, so that we could scarce 
see one another, and the water broke so into the boat, that 
it was most of one man's work to heave it out, and all our 
company were discouraged, and most of them very sea-sick : 
Henry Hosier, of whom I had the most hopes for help, 
said, that he could not steer the boat any longer. What 
with the extreme darkness, the roughness of the waves, 
boisterousness of the wind, and hard rain. I. unwell as I 
was, was obliged to undertake the steering of the boat, and 
not without some conflicts of mind, not having any cer- 
tainty, from any outward rule, what way we went, having 
no fire, and the boat being open, we could not have any 
light to see our compass; but my faith was in the Lord, 
that He would bring us to shore, and I kept the boat as 
near the wind as she would sail, and told my poor sick and 
helpless company, I believed that we should not perish, al- 
though we might miss our port. But the like imminent 
danger, I think, I was never in before upon any water ; but 
renowned over all be the great name of the Lord for ever, 
we put into the mouth of our desired river Perquiraus as 
though we had seen it in the day or steered by a compass, 
neither of which we had the benefit of for several hours. 
Here we went ashore and made a great fire under the 
river's clifi", and about midnight the moon rose, and it 
cleared up and froze, and was very cold. My companions 
falling asleep, I turned them over and pulled them from 
the fire as it increased, and put them nearer as it fiiiled, 
but could not keep them awake. I sought logs of wood. 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 123 

and carried tliem to and minded the fire, wliicli was work 
enough for the remaining part of the night ; but morning 
being come, we got into our cold icy boat and sailed away 
toward the meeting. When we were come among Friends, 
notice was given of a stranger being there, and a heavenly 
and sweet meeting it was, so that we thought we had a 
good reward for all our trouble, blessed be the name of the 
Lord now and for ever, for He is worthy : although He 
may see good to try us, sometimes one way and sometimes 
another, how should we know that we have any faith, if it 
be not tried ? How shall we know that we have any true 
love to Grod, if it never be proved ? The trial of the true 
believers' faith is more precious than gold. The excellent 
sayings of Job came into my mind. Behold, I go forward, 
but He is not there ; and backward, but I cannot perceive 
Him : on the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot 
behold Him: He hideth Himself on the right hand, that 
I cannot see Him. Job xxiii., 8, 9. And then in verse the 
10th, he, like a man in the true faith, saith. The Lord 
knoweth the way that I take, and when He has tried me, 
I shall come forth as gold. And the more vehement that 
the fire is, the more it destroys the dross, and the more 
pure and weighty the gold is which has passed through 
the most severe fires. Read thou, and understand this 
that canst, 

I had a meeting, when in Virginia, at a Friend's house 
whose name was Matthew Jordan, and something which I 
said in the meeting somewhat offended a young woman, a 
Presbyterian, and not having, as she said, a suitable oppor- 
tunity while I was there, to discourse with me, being busy 
in her master's affairs (for she was the Friend's house- 
keeper), she desired liberty of her master to go to the next 
meeting, that there she might ease her mind to me about 



124 LIFE or JOHN RICHARDSON. 

the offence I had given her in the first meeting; (it was 
something about election, and they told me .what it was, 
but not writing it down it went from me,) and accordingly 
she came to the meeting, where the Lord's mighty power 
broke in upon us, to the tendering of many hearts, to 
Friends' mutual satisfaction, and it proved a good day to 
the aforesaid young woman : her heart was as if it had 
melted within her, and she shed many tears, and I am sat- 
isfied went from the meeting in fear and in great joy, — in 
fear how to walk as not to offend Christ the Elect, which 
before she could talk of, but now she had met with and he 
had opened her state to her; and joy, that she had met 
with the Messiah, the Elect of the Father, His choice and 
beloved Son; so that she could now say. Where are the 
wise ? Where is the scribe ? Where is the disputer of this 
world ? All her brisk talkative qualities were swallowed 
up in the feeling of the internal, enlightening presence of 
Christ. 

When she returned to her master's, before mention- 
ed, he asked her if she had got satisfaction ? meaning, 
had she had any discourse with me, and was satisfied? 
She replied, she was satisfied. Some time after I met with 
her in Philadelphia, plain and Truth-like, but knew not 
who she was at the first. The manner of the working of 
the Truth is to humble the creature, and bring it into con- 
trition, tenderness, and fear, with true self-denial. 

I come now to mention something that happened in 
my going over James' river, toward a Yearly Meeting in 
Virginia Alighting at an inn by the river-side, where we 
refreshed ourselves, there was a poor little child that cried 
so exceedingly, that I was uneasy to hear it, and asked 
the mother what was the matter ? She said, it had cried 
most of the time since it was born, and they were almost 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 125 

off their feet with it, or to that effect. I told her, I be- 
lieved I could give the child something which would do 
good, and she readily agreed to it; and I gave it a little of 
something then, and ordered her to give it twice more in 
four or five days time. But when I returned the child was 
better, and oh ! how glad the poor woman was to see me, 
and spoke more in my commendation than was to my 
satisfaction, and was kind to Friends afterwards for my 
sake. 

Now we came to ferry over the river, being, as I re- 
member, five horses, and nine people. There was Jane 
Pleasant, a public Friend, and her man-servant who rode 
before her upon a great horse, high in flesh; and about 
the midst of the river, it b^ng two miles over, he rose 
upon his hind feet, and flung himself upon the edge or 
gunnel of the boat, half into the river. The fall of the 
horse, and the motion of the other horses thereupon, 
caused the boat to make such sallies that it took in water, 
and was very likely to sink ; but. before he could have 
time to rise again, or to make any more springs, I took 
several young men by the shoulders, and flung them upon 
his neck to keep him down, and told them, as fast as I 
could, why I did so. Now I had to deal with the ferry- 
man, who was about to strip for swimming, and said, we 
should all be drowned ; but for his part he could swim, 
and was about to leap into the river, for, he said, the boat 
would either break or sink. I told him, it was soon 
enough for him to swim, when he saw the boat either 
break or sink, and if he would not row, then I would : 
with much entreaty, he took the oar again and rowed us to 
the shore. But in our imminent danger I looked over my 
tender friends (for so they appeared to me), and thought 
in my heart what a pity it would be, if all these were 



126 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

drowned ! yet the thouglit of my own drowning never en- 
tered my mind until I was got over the river, which was 
a mercy to me, and a great means to keep out disorder and 
confusion, which commonly attend sudden surprises and 
frights, or else they make people dead-hearted and almost 
senseless. 

As I had now an occasion to observe, as well as in some 
imminent dangers I had seen before, where I happened to 
be, I find it an excellent thing to be, as much as we can, 
always ready, and by frequently thinking upon death, 
it is not so surprising when it does come. This is a great 
point of true wisdom, to number our days, so as to remem- 
ber our latter end. The want of thus comtemplating and 
truly thinking on what preparation we are in to look death 
in the face, and to appear before the great Judge of both 
quick and dead, was the cause of the complaint. Oh ! that 
my people were wise, that they imderstood this, that they 
would consider their latter end. The great remissness of 
such considerations among people bespeak folly and great 
insensibilities, and that the heart is hardened through a 
habit of sinning : oh ! that I might prevail with the chil- 
dren of men to awake. Arise, you that sleep in sin, and 
are at ease therein, that you may come to hear inwardly 
the call of the Son of Grod. That your souls may not only 
live here to serve Grod, but also may live eternally in bliss 
with him, is the desire of my soul for the whole bulk of 
mankind ; for my life has often appeared not dear to me 
in comparison of the saving of the souls of the children 
of men. 

I have often thought of Moses, how far he went for 
saving of Israel, and how far Paul went for the saving of 
his kinsfolk after the flesh. It was a great demonstration 
that these great and good men had great faith and interest 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 127 

in the Lord, and also a very great love to His people; and 
sucli whose eyes are truly opened, cannot but see it is the 
love of God, and love to the souls of men, that constrains 
us thus to take our lives as in our hands, and labour under 
many weary steps, and many perils by sea and by land, 
and in the wilderness, cold, and sometimes in tumults and 
noises, sometimes in watchings and fastings, that we have 
been sometimes spectacles to men; but the Lord hath 
given us faith and patience to bear and overcome all, as 
we have singly stood in His heavenly counsel, and been 
truly devoted to His will in all things. 

It may not be amiss to mention a particular thing 
which happened to me before I left long Island, viz. : 
knowing that my landlady, Samuel Bowne's wife, had a 
very sore breast, by which she had much trouble, and had 
no less than five tents in it, and she being a sensible and 
a serviceable woman, something came with a concern upon 
my mind to administer unto her breast, with a belief it 
would heal her. I reasoned about it until I had got one 
foot into the stirrup for mounting my horse, but I grew 
uneasy for being dilatory in doing that which came into 
my mind ; so I went in again and said, Mary, I am come 
back to advise thee what thou shouldest do, by which, I 
believe, thou wilt be healed, although I cannot stay to see 
it done. I believe, said she, and intend to follow thy ad- 
vice ; but asked, what would become of all those tents ? 
I told her, the poultice would draw them all out and give 
her ease; and accordingly I heard it did, for she slept 
twelve hours immediately after the time of the application, 
and when she awoke the tents were all drawn out, and she 
had little further trouble with it. So it is good to mind 
Truth and the workings of it in all things. I met with 
the great doctor (as he was esteemed), who had it under 



128 LirE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

hand, and lie said, I was a bold fellow. I said, it proved 
well. He answered, It was well for me it did. 

Something more which I have before omitted occurs 
to my memory : when I was in that part of Virginia to- 
ward North Carolina, to visit Friends, a very great mist 
arose, and we went wrong, until the guides were so far lost 
that they confessed, they knew not east from west, nor on 
which hand we had left the road, although it was in the 
fore part of the day, but neither wind or sun to be felt or 
seen; then I told them, I would try what I could do, if they 
did but know what quarter we should go to. They said, 
we should go toward the south. Then I brought out my 
little compass which I had made before I left England, and 
took it in my hand and steered by it, till we all came into 
the road; for that inward sense I had did persuade me 
that we were to the westward of the road. So leaning a 
little to the eastward of the south point, we came right as 
before, and when so, the guides much rejoiced, and said, I 
was fitter to be guide in a wilderness country than they. 
My compass was not so big as a tailor's thimble, which had 
often been of use to me and others with me. 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 129 



CHAPTER yi. 

Sails for Barbadoes — Visits Bermuda — Interview with the Gov- 
ernor — His Kindness — Judge Stafford — His Love and Zeal for 
the Truth — Incidents of the Voyage — Sickness — Controversy 
on Baptism — Sails for England — Arrival — His Marriage. 

Now the time came on for my leaving all my near and 
dear friends in those parts, and I embarked for the Islands 
the 6th of the Ninth month, 1702, with my companion 
James Bates, on board of a sloop, Samuel -Salter master, 
for Barbadoes, and we put into Bermuda in our way. 
Soon after we landed, being on the 21st of the same 
month, we were sent for by Governor Bennett, to come 
before him, and being near his door, a man came and 
clapped me on the shoulder, as we were walking on our 
way, and said roughly to us, You must go before the Gov- 
ernor, and seemed to hasten us. I replied meekly, I am 
willing to go as fast as I can, but I have been very sea-sick, 
and can go but weakly. The man fell from his roughness, 
and bid us take time, and carried himself very civilly to us, 
and put us by a man who was keeping sentry at the Gov- 
ernor's door with his musket on his arm; and when we 
were come into a large room the man left us, and we stay- 
ing a while, I began to reason in myself, what if the 
Governor should be a rigid man and be severe to us, and 
either confine or punish us ? But I said in my heart. 
Lord, Thou that knowest all things, knowest that I have 
not only offered up my liberty, but life also, for Thy name 



130 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

and Grospel's sake ! and immediately all the fear and rea- 
sonings about human power were taken away from me. 

I being not well and weary with walking from the 
ship, sat down to rest myself unbidden, when there came 
a friendly well-carriaged young woman, who I supposed to 
be a servant, and spoke kindly to us. I desired her to do 
as much for us as to give us something that was small to 
drink, for we were very thirsty, and had been much out of 
health, and were not well recovered since we came from 
the sea, having had rough weather. She brought us wine 
and water, and a thing to mix them in : so taking most of 
a glass of water, and a very little wine poured into it, I 
drank and was very well refreshed. By this time the Grov- 
ernor called us into an upper room, and as I came near to 
the top of the stairs, going but faintly, for reasons before 
given, the Grovernor put forth his hand and reached to 
take hold of mine, and like a tender father drew me up, 
and led me along toward a great window, and stood and 
looked on me, and said. He believed he knew what I was, 
and my business too. I replied, it might be so, and asked, 
if he was the Grovernor of that place ? He said, he was, 
and bowed his head. I then spoke to him in the love 
of Grod, and said, Thy countenance bespeaks moderation, 
and the apostle said, Let your moderation appear to all 
men, for the Lord is at hand ; and it was with me to say 
to him, the Lord of heaven and earth bless thee and all 
thine. He bade us sit down, and gave us each a glass of 
wine, and inquired from whence we came? 1 told him, my 
home was in Old England, but it was long since I was 
there ; my companion's was in Virginia. He wanting to 
know the affairs in Europe, I told him, there was a mer- 
chant belonging to the same ship that we did, who was 
lately come from Europe, and I thought was a man of parts 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 131 

and memory, and well versed in the affairs of those parts 
of the world, and when we came into this place he was 
with us. The Governor then sent for him, and when he 
came, he answered his expectation in resolving all or most 
of his questions, for the knowledge of the news appeared 
to me to be the young man's talent. Having done with 
and dismissed him, he said he must now have some dis- 
course with us : then rose up all the great men who were 
with the Grovernor, to make way that I might come near 
him. I said, if it was the Governor's mind, I had rather 
sit where I was, for I sat well in the air, and that suited 
well with my present weakness : so he bade them all sit 
down, and they did so. 

Now, said he, I want to know the reasons why you, as 
a people, where you live, do not assist the king and coun- 
try with men and arms, for their and your own defence 
and safety, against all that may attempt or endeavour your 
hurt. I replied, the most convincing reasons I have to 
offer to the Governor are, we have neither precept nor 
example from Christ or his apostles, to use the sword to 
hurt one another withal. No, said he; what then means 
that saying of our Saviour, when he bade him that had 
not a sword, sell his cloak or coat and buy one ? I replied, 
one of his disciples answered and said. Lord, here are two. 
Christ said. It is enough. Now how two swords can be 
enough to answer for a general precept, I leave the Gov- 
ernor and all these men to judge. So after a little pause, 
he said, In case you were assaulted by robbers that would 
break your house, and take what they could get from you; 
or upon the highway, and would take your purse or horse, 
what would you do in that case? I replied, I could not 
directly answer what I should do in such a case, because 
through the Lord's mercy I was never yet so assaulted ; 



132 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

but it appears most likely tliat I should endeavour to keep 
my house from being broken up, and yet withal be tender 
of men's lives : and as to the other assault, inasmuch as it 
is well known I do not provide any outward weapon for 
my defence, neither sword, pistol, nor any other such like 
weapon, therefore I must rely upon the Lord for protection 
and help, who is able to rescue me out of the hands of all 
such ungodly men ; or if He does not, I must endeavour to 
bear what the Lord suffers such to do unto me. The Grov- 
ernor said, You say well; for inasmuch as you have not 
provided any thing for j^our defence, you have nothing to 
fly to but the Lord. You say very well; and said, he hoped 
what he had offered had not given any offence. I replied, 
it was so far from that, we were glad he was so free with 
us; yet if he pleased to dismiss us, we should be willing 
to be going, for night came on. He said, there were some 
of our Friends would be glad to see us. I replied, I un- 
derstood there were some further on the island that did 
own us, but how much they were of us I could not tell, for 
I had not seen any of them. He asked whether we had 
a mind to go by water or land, for he had a boat, and a 
couple of hands should carry us where we would ; or if we 
had a desire to ride, he had two horses, we might take them 
and keep them as long as we staid upon the island. I en- 
deavoured to persuade him to let us go without troubling 
himself any further, for I was sensible of his good will 
and love to us, and having his countenance was more than 
we expected, and as much as we desired. He still urging 
to know after what manner we would choose to go, I told 
him, I was very sensible of his generosity to us who were 
strangers, and if he would be easy and let us pass, we had 
wherewithal to defray our necessary charges either by 
water or land, as would answer best with our convenience. 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 133 

He pressed upon us to accept of his offer, for lie said, lie 
did not do it in compliment to us. Then seeing no way 
but to accept of his generous offer, I said, riding at present 
would be much more acceptable to me, considering how 
I had been lately fatigued at sea, of which I was not yet 
well. He immediately gave orders for the horses to be 
brought to the door, which being done, and we having 
notice thereof, I rose up and made an offer to go, and the 
Grovernor likewise rose up and came and took me by the 
hand, and so we weat down the large stairs into the great 
room where we first entered in the Lord's dread and holy 
fear. Read this, thou that canst, and withal learn to un- 
derstand. Here I had resigned my life and all to the Lord 
who gave it; and my life at that time, as at many other 
times, was not dear to me for Christ's sake^ and being 
thus resigned, I felt the love of God, and a measure of 
that life was manifest in which I had dominion over men, 
bonds, and over death and the powers of darkness, blessed 
be the Lord for ever. 

Now coming to take horse, I looked out at the door and 
saw two horses, and a man holding them beyond the pave- 
ment, and the sentry as before in the street, and the horse 
next the door, which I supposed I was to ride on, had a 
saddle on the back of it set about with three rows of shi- 
ning silver lace, I thought about two inches broad each. 
The Grovernor holding me by the hand and looking in 
my face, it is not unlikely but he might think, as I used to 
say, I looked very sheepishly at it. He said to me, I am 
apt to think you are not used to ride upon such a saddle 
as this. I told him, if he could let me have one more like 
myself (plain) without much trouble, I should like it the 
better, but if not I could ride on it, I thought, without 
much straitness, in case of necessity. He answered, he 

12 



134: LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

could not, for horses and saddles too were scarce on that 
island, for the one was that which he rode on, and the 
other was for his man; but, he said, he would tell me how 
to prevent all this. If, said he, you get over the inlet of 
water, though he questioned it, because the wind blew very 
strong in the mouth or inlet of the river; but, he said, he 
spoke not this to hinder our taking his horses, — if we got 
over, he said, we should come to Richard Stafford's, an 
old judge of life and death, and might ask there for the 
cover of his saddle, which ties on with little straps at each 
corner and hides all this, and then it will be like yourself; 
but if the ferryman says he cannot carry the horses over, 
what man soever you meet, white or black, if capable, tell 
him he must bring me my horses, he dares do no other but 
bring them ; and be sure you take no further thought for 
them. And if we met with any thing in his liberty that 
might trouble us, let him but know and he would help 
it, if it lay in his power ; and so, with his blessing on us, 
we took leave of him and came to the water-side, but 
could not get the horses over, therefore sent them back 
again, and intended to have staid at the ferry-house all 
night, but the boat was about going over as we alighted; 
and notice being got some way or other to the Judge's 
ear, that there were two strangers on the other side of the 
water, he had sent a boat and a couple of men for us, who 
said we must go, for the Judge said he could not sleep 
until we came; whatsoever the matter is, we know not, 
said they. So we went, after asking if they at the ferry- 
house had been at any cost or trouble on our account in 
providing supper, for as yet we had not eaten any thing 
since we landed ; the people said, No, they had not done 
any thing which we should pay for. It grew dark and 
very stormy, and the sea broke over the boat, so that some 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 135 

of US were forced to hold our coat-laps one to touch an- 
other on the weather side, to keep out the breakers of the 
waves, that they might not fill the boat, and we came safe 
over to the Judge's house, and no sooner got into the pas- 
sage but his friendly wife met us, and asked us. If we were 
the strangers her husband had sent for? I said, we are 
strangers. She bid us follow her to the Judge, and we 
did so. When we came to him he rose up, and took the 
candle in his hand and said. Are you the strangers that I 
have sent for? I said, who thou mayest expect I know 
not, but we are strangers. When he had looked well in 
my face, he set down the candle and said, What a mercy 
is this, that the Lord should send men from I know not 
where, in His love to visit me ! and took me in his arms 
and kissed me; and I said to him, the Lord of heaven and 
earth bless thee; and we shed many tears and wept to- 
gether. 

As I entered the house, I felt the love of God, and His 
glory, I thought, shone in and filled every room as I passed 
through them, and I said, peace be to this place, and I felt 
it was so. He inquired of our travels, and from whence we 
came, of which we gave him a brief account ; he also asked 
if I knew any thing of the family of Stafi"ords, at Lahorn, 
near Haverfordwest, in South Wales ? I told him all J. 
knew about them, both of the dead and of the living ; 
with which he was pleased, and said he had not heard of 
them many years, and that family were his near kindred. 

Now as the Judge was somewhat troubled with the 
gout, I found his usual bed-time drew near, and I made 
an oiFer to go away lest I should discommode him, yet he 
appeared unwilling to part with us; but considering his 
own ailments and our early rising in the morning, he at 
length consented. But before we parted, his wife asked 



136 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

leave of liim to go witli us on the morrow to the meeting, 
to which he readily assented, if he was not worse of his 
distemper; and then ordered how we should ride, and 
which negro should go, not only to help his wife but us 
also, and take our horses when there was occasion, and do 
any thing he could for us ; and indeed so he did, and ap- 
peared to me to run on his feet without much trouble, 
being a lively young man. 

I omitted before, that the Judge asked, if we had seen 
the Grovernor, and if he was kind to us? I told him, he 
was very friendly to us, and said, if we met with any trou- 
ble in his liberty that he could help us in, only let him 
know and he would right us. The Judge said, it was very 
well, and he was glad of it, I perceived the Judge was 
rather a moderator of the Governor, he being an ancient 
wise man, and had lived long as a judge upon the island, 
and understood (it is like) more fully the state of things 
there than the Governor could be capable of, he being but 
a young man, although he appeared to be a wise man, and, 
as William Penn said, came of an ancient and honourable 
family in England, which he knew very well, whose name 
was Bennett. Afterwards I told William Penn how it 
had fared with us on that island, and especially the kind- 
ness of the two chief men in power there ; and William 
Penn wept and said, he had not heard any account of this 
nature that he had been so much affected with, as he re- 
membered, these many years. 

Now we left the Judge until the morning, and got some 
small refreshment, it being late, and I had been faint for 
several hours for want of eating, but the Lord's heavenly 
power bore me up over all, so that at times I felt no want 
of any thing : oh ! renowned over all be the name of the 
mighty God, now and for ever. We went to bed, and 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 137 

when morning came, I with my companion were stirring 
early, having eight miles to the meeting, and it being in 
the latter end of the Ninth month, we were willing to be 
in such time that we might give some notice to the people. 
I was walking in our lodging-room early, and the Judge's 
wife came to the door and asked, if she might speak with 
us? I said she might; then she came in and said, she 
had a message from her husband to us. I queried what 
it was. She said, he desired we would come and pray for 
him before we went away. I desired she would favour us 
so much as to lay before her husband something which I 
had to say, and she promised she would. Well then, tell 
the Judge, that if he will suffer us to come into his room, 
and sit down and wait upon the Lord, as our manner is in 
such a case as this, if it please the Lord to move us by His 
Holy Spirit to pray, we may ; but if not, let not the Judge 
take it amiss, for we are willing to be at the Lord's dispos- 
ing in all things. She went and, I believe, as sh3 said, laid 
the matter before him as I had delivered it to her, for she 
was a woman of good understanding, and came back again 
to us in a very little time. I asked what the Judge said ? 
She replied, he said, Let the men take their own way, and 
whether they pray for me or not, I believe they are men 
of Grod. So after some little respite, we being bi ought to 
the Judge's bed-side, sat down and waited upon the Lord, 
who was pleased in His love and by His mighty power to 
break in upon us, and also opened my mouth in His gift 
of grace and of supplication, in which gift, ardent and fer- 
vent cries went up to the Lord of heaven and earth, that 
He would send health and salvation to the Judge, and also 
to all his family, and to all people far and near, that all 
everywhere might repent, and come to the knowledge of 
the Truth and be saved. The Judge wept aloud, and a 

12* 



13S LIFE OF JOHX RICHARDSON. 

mighty visitation it was to his family, and especially to 
himself and his tender wife. We left the Judge in a fine 
frame of spirit, and no doubt near the kingdom, having 
his blessing and earnest request, that when we could reach 
his house we would not fail to come to it, for we were very 
welcome ; and I found and felt it so, and it was mostly our 
lodgings. His wife and foot-page went with us to all the 
meetings, except one, while we were on the island, which 
was about two weeks, in which time we had many good 
opportunities among a sober-behaved and well-carriaged 
people, amongst whom we met with no opposition, but had 
large, quiet meeiiings. 

When we were clear, as we thought, of the island, we 
went to take our solid leaves of the Governor, acknow- 
ledging his civility and generosity to us strangers, and I 
told him and the Judge, that they would not want their 
reward for what they had done to us, and such who should 
take their lives as in their hands, and come in the love of 
Grod to visit these remote parts of the world, which we 
durst not have undertaken if we had not believed it re- 
quired of us by the Almighty, and our peace concerned 
in it, as also the glory of God, and the good of the chil- 
dren of men; these are the motives to those our great 
undertakings, or words to that purpose. So we parted in 
much love with these great men, especially the Judge, 
with tears on his face, as also his tender and friendly wife, 
who had been very serviceable to us in ordering meetings 
and making way for us, and none like her in all the island 
that we met withal, she being given up to that service, 
for the encouraging of Truth and Friends in what she was 
capable of. 

Being invited to a Friend's house to dine one day, when 
we were sat down at the table, the woman of the house 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 139 

desired that one of us would say grace j from whicli I took 
an occasion to show her, and several more in the company, 
who appeared not much more grown in the Truth than she, 
that since we had been a people, we had both believed 
and accordingly practiced that true prayer was not per- 
formed without the help of the Holy Spirit of Grod, and no 
man could pray aright and acceptably without it; nor was 
it in man's power to have it when he pleased -, therefore 
it is man's place to wait upon the Lord for the pouring 
forth of this gift upon him, and also to know whether it 
be required of him to pray, so as to be heard by man, or 
only to pray secretly, so as to be heard of God, as did 
Hannah, and many more have done, which, as they do 
aright, no doubt but, as Christ said to his disciples, their 
Father will hear them in secret, and reward them openly, 
or to this effect. With which they all appeared satisfied. 
We then went on board our vessel, and set sail with a 
fair wind for the east end of the island in order for Bar- 
badoes, but soon after we got out to the mouth of that 
inlet where we arrived first, the wind came full against us, 
and we put in there again; and the master, although not 
called one of us, said in a friendly manner. What is the 
matter now? This is along of you, Mr. Richardson (as he 
was pleased to call me, although I often showed my dislike 
to it) ; you have something to do yet on the island. I said, 
I knew not of any thing; but he seemed positive, and 
withal said, if the wind came fair at midnight he would 
call if I was willing; if not, he would stay as long as I 
pleased. I said, I knew not of any thing to hinder, but 
he might call as soon as the wind came fair. So we 
parted, only giving him an account that we intended to 
go for the Judge's house. It was late in the evening when 
we got there, and the Judge was gone to bed. but his wife 



140 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

was up, wlio lifted up her hands with more than ordinary 
surprise and much joy, and said, she was always glad to 
see me, but never more than now. I said, why so ? She 
then began to tell how since I went away, there had been 
a man with the Judge, who had incensed him against me 
all that ever he could, and said, he knew mo in England, 
and that I was broke, and came into those parts to preach 
for a living. I asked what her husband said to all that ? 
She said, his answer was to the man, that he believed I 
was no such person, but an honest man ; yet the accuser 
seemed very positive. I said, it would be well if this man 
could be brought with me to the Judge's face, that he 
might be convinced, not only of the man's ignorance of us 
as a people, but of me in particular, and his envy against 
me be made known. Upon which I opened to her the case 
of such journeys and services, how we proceeded, and how 
the meetings were constituted in which we did so proceed 
and from whence we had certificates, from Monthly, Quar- 
terly, or Meetings of Ministers to which we belonged, and 
from Friends in the several provinces and islands where 
we travelled, if we desired them, many of which I could 
show the Judge if time would admit; but she said, lest 
we should be called away in haste, she craved to see some 
of those certificates. I showed her them, beginning at the 
first, wherein Friends of Kelk, now Bridlington Monthly 
Meeting, in Yorkshire, to Friends in America, showed not 
only their full unity with this my present journey, but also 
with my service for the Truth and conversation in the 
same, where I had lived and travelled, and that I had 
settled my outward affairs to Friends' satisfaction, under 
many hands variously written. 

When this great and wise woman saw this, she said, 
It is enough; but I showed her other certificates from 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 141 

divers places, wherein Friends liad signified sufficiently 
their unity and satisfaction with me, I likewise informed 
her, that in case any man, not approved by us as a minis- 
ter, did take upon him to impose his preaching upon any 
who were strangers to him, such as knew him took care to 
acquaint the churches therewith, if his intentions could be 
known, that no impostor could do any hurt : all which she 
admired and said, she had never heard so much before, 
neither did she think there had been such excellent 
order in the world amongst any people. 

Having thus acquainted her with our Order and Dis- 
cipline, and afterwards informed her of the cause of our 
unexpected return, I renewed my proposal of having my 
accuser before the Judge. She told me, she had good 
place with her husband, and would endeavour to obtain it; 
and accordingly, after talking with him, she let me know 
that the Judge expressed his readiness to do me any ser- 
vice which lay in his power, and was of opinion my ac- 
cuser durst not face either him or me in that afi"air ; but 
that if the wind continued against us, he would try to find 
him out and bring him, which might be of service ; but 
if the wind favoured, she thought I might be easy to go, 
as indeed, I was, and the more so, considering that our 
Captain Salter, who lived near the Judge on the same 
island, had showed a great deal of patience and good dis- 
position to US-ward for about two weeks, yet would gladly 
be gone. So about midnight we were called to go on 
board the ship, for the wind was fair, if we were ready. 
I replied, we come quickly; and so we did, and took leave 
of all we saw of the family, and remembered our dear love 
with grateful acknowledgments to the Judge, for the 
civility and kindnesses he had done to us, with reasons 
why we could not see him, for he had been afiiicted for 



142 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

some time with the gout, and was now fallen into some 
rest, and we going very early away, were not at own dis- 
posal. 

I admired the Lord's good Providence in all this; and 
there was something of a reach from the same watchful 
Providence to order that to be put into my certificate 
which did so fully remove that slur this enemy would have 
fastened upon me, (i.e.) that I broke in England, and 
could not pay my debts, and therefore was come into these 
remote parts of the world, where I was unknown, to preach 
for a livelihood. But the contrary fully appeared, that I 
was known and well beloved too, and had effects to dis- 
charge any just demand upon me, blessed be the worthy 
name of the Lord now and for ever. 

Now I may say something of our affairs upon the sea 
in this voyage. When Captain Salter had taken us in 
passengers at Philadelphia for Barbadoes, it being a time 
of war, and people somewhat afraid of shipping goods, 
he said, he was to have two honest Quakers passengers, 
and he did not fear being taken by privateers nor pirates. 
I was troubled at his confidence in us, and told him so, 
and that it was much if the Lord did not suffer us to be 
taken, that he might see men were not to be depended 
upon, but that we ought to depend upon the Lord alone 
for protection and deliverance. However, in much less 
time than was expected, goods came, and we were loaded 
and gone. We had rough weather before we came to Bar- 
badoes (1 have given an account of Bermuda), especially 
about the Tropic of Cancer we had very high wiuds, and 
I was extremely sea-sick, and so was my companion, and I 
could eat little, but was treated with remarkable civilities 
by the captain ; for in and about that latitude there are 
fish not unlike herrings, which fly from wave to wave, and 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 143 

by dipping their fins or wings in the water, they will fly a 
great way, especially Avhen they are chased by fishes of 
prey, and almost every morning there were of those fishes 
found on the ship's deck; and the captain often said, as 
his manner was, Mr. Kichardson, these are sent for you, or 
for your breakfast, and seeing it is so, I will dress them 
myself, for I know, said he, my cook is so greasy you can 
hardly eat of his cookery, which was very true ; and there- 
fore he would wash his hands, and lay a clean napkin on 
his arm, and tell me he would dress me my breakfast in 
the best fashion he could. I asked him, why he would 
put himself to so much trouble? He said, he never 
waited on a man in all his life with so much pleasure, and 
if I were going into any country where he was going, I 
should not pay any thing for my passage ; so much respect 
he showed to me. 

Now it happened in the course of this voyage, when 
we were within a few leagues of Barbadoes, one morning 
early, as soon as day appeared, he that was aloft (upon the 
watch to look out, as the manner of mariners is, especially 
in the times of wars and danger) espied a ship, which he 
and the rest of our most knowing men supposed to be a 
Turkish frigate, of considerable strength : however, it was 
a great vessel, and appeared to have a great many guns. 
When we first saw her, she appeared to be within gun-shot. 
But oh ! what a surprise and fright our ship's crew were 
in ! I had not often seen the like. Our vessel being deep 
loaded, although a good sailer, was less than that which 
chased us, and to run for it appeared the only way for us 
to escape, hauling as close to the wind as we could to keep 
the sails full. And the vessel being stiff with its great 
burden, endured sail well; and indeed they crowded so 
much sail that I told them I feared they would bring the 



144 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

rigging by the board: so thus we laboured until noon, and 
then our captain had lost all his confidence in the Quak- 
ers, and said, we shall be taken ; for the ship has gained 
upon us for several hours, and we have done what we can, 
and are all spent. I walked upon the main-deck under no 
small concern of mind, and Truth rose, and I found it 
open in the Truth, that we should not be taken. The 
captain said, binding it with some asservations, We shall 
certainly be taken. I said, No, we shall not, unless by our 
mismanagement. Alas ! said he, you are such a man as I 
never met withal. Do not you see the frigate or Sallee- 
man, for that he called her, is just going to fire a broad- 
side at us, opening the gun ports, and laying the ship 
broad-side upon us, and levelling at her as well as they 
can? And indeed our captain, although he was a stout 
man, yet appeared very ghastly and dead-hearted, and said 
in a tone, which bespoke both affliction and trouble, to me, 
Gro into my cabin, or some where under the deck, for they 
will fire immediately; and that where I walked I could 
hardly escape either the shot or the rigging falling upon 
me. I said they will not fire, and desired him to be easy, 
for we should come to no damage by that ship. Well 
then, he asked what they should do, for the enemy was 
just upon us ? I said, I would fetch them a bottle or two 
or more of my best brandy, and they might take as much 
as might do them good; but have a care of more, and ply 
away awhile, and you will see they will fall back and we 
shall leave them. The captain said, although there was 
no human probability of escaping, yet for my sake they 
would try, and to work they went. I think I never saw 
men on board of any ship work like them for some hours, 
and we soon perceived we outsailed them, and by the time 
it began to be dark we had left them considerably. 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 145 

Now all fire and light were forbidden, except what 
could not be avoided, and all noise, and a council was held 
to consult what way to steer, whether the nearest or most 
common way for the island, or about; for it was reasonable 
to conclude the adversary would way-lay us, if he could, 
before we came to the island; and the captain said, what 
I said in the case should be done. After some delibera- 
tion I told him, I was most easy in steering the nearest 
course; which we did, and saw our adversary no more. 

We came to the island next day, in much joy that we 
had escaped so imminent a danger; but I was very ill in a 
fever when I landed, which had been growing upon me 
for several days (this being the Sixth-day of the week, and 
18th of the Tenth month). I was so poorly, that several 
thought I must die ; bat I stood resigned in the will of 
God, whether to die or live. The First-day being come, 
I went to the meeting, though with great difficulty, being 
very weak, where I sat under more than usual exercise, 
reasonings, and conflict of spirit for some time, about my 
present condition, which was weak and low, and in my 
own apprehension unlikely to be of any service; notwith- 
standing all the troubles and hazards of the sea and 
robbers, and other jeopardies in coming here, I was now 
thus disabled and laid by as useless. These things were 
an occasion to me to consider, whether I had not missed 
my way in something or other ? Many particulars were 
brought to my mind, whether I had discharged myself 
faithfully where I had been; and when I looked back and 
took a view of my past travels and services in the work of 
the Ministry and Discipline of the Church, my conduct 
and whole conversation, I saw nothing but I was clear of 
the blood of all men, as also clear and well satisfied both 
as to the time of my coming, as well as to the coming itself 

13 



146 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

unto this island. There appeared yet two things in my 
way: first, if this place should be my grave, such as might 
not watch over me with the best eye may say, If he had 
gone at the Lord's command, no doubt but He would have 
brought him back again; and secondly, as I had two little 
children in England, if I finished my course here, they 
would be left fatherless and motherless. And I said be- 
fore the Lord, Let not my end bring dishonour to Thy 
great name, nor any blemish to the Truth which I have 
loved, and laboured for the promotion of from my child- 
hood. 

When I had thus, or to this purpose, appealed to the 
Lord, I felt great quietness and resignation of mind ; and 
as I thus sat, a Friend, well thought of by several, began 
to speak in the meeting, and it opened in my mind that 
he was not wholly redeemed from having some thoughts 
that elementary water had not yet ended its service, — I 
mean in point of dipping. I would have shut it out, for 
the man appeared a wise, zealous man, and I being alto- 
gether a stranger, could not remember I had heard of his 
name; yet the matter continued, and I thought, for my 
satisfaction, I might ask him the question, — if he was a 
right-spirited Friend, he would not be hurt; if he was not, 
he stood in need of help, or at least it was high time for 
Friends to have a more perfect knowledge of him. So I 
leave this a while, and return to the other part of the 
meeting, which was very remarkable. 

During my sitting, as before, under much weakness of 
body, yet quiet in mind, the living virtue or heavenly 
power of Christ sprang up in my inward man, like healing 
and suppling oil, which so eflPectually helped me every 
way, that I could say feelingly and experimentally, mira- 
cles are not ceased ; for I was raised beyond my own ex- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 147 

pectation, and all otliers who knew my weak state, to give 
testimony to tlie glorious coming and manifestation of 
Christ in power, spirit, life, light, and grace, for the help, 
health, and salvation of all the children of men, who re- 
ceive, believe in, and obey his spiritual knocks, reproofs, 
and heavenly calls in the soul, without any lessening to 
his humanity. Great cause have I with all the living to 
love, value, honour, and reverence the great and mighty 
name of Him who hath helped and healed, by sending His 
eternal word of living power into our hearts. 

Returning with other Friends to my quarters from this 
good meeting, not to be forgotten by me, came the before 
mentioned Friend to see me ^ and I having, as I told him, 
a desire to speak privately with him, he replied, there were 
none there but his good friends, and I might speak my 
mind. I told him, what I had to say related chiefly to 
himself, and in such a matter as he might not be willing 
to have it exposed; but he would not hear, and said I 
might speak it there. I desired he would not take an 
offence at what I had to say, for I did suppose it to be a 
secret to all there but himself; and then I said, the mat- 
ter is, when thou was speaking in the meeting, it sounded 
in the ear of my soul, as if one had said, This man, mean- 
ing thee, is not wholly redeemed out of a belief in John's 
ministration of water, as not having done its work. Now 
the matter is before thee, thou knowest whether what I 
received be true or false : in the first place, I inquire for 
my own satisfaction. His answer, if it may be called one, 
was as followeth : he said. The disciples of Christ, when 
they baptized with water, knew that it was the mind of 
their great Master that they should so baptize. I said, I 
know not that any of the apostles did ever say so much 
as thou wouldest insinuate ; for both by what Peter and 



148 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

Paul say, it appears very natural to be the mind of Christ, 
only to condescend to so much as was done by the apostles 
in that of water, because of the people's weakness; and no 
question but the Jews were very much settled in the belief 
of John the Baptist's dispensation of water to repentance, 
and also of the circumcision and purifying, and many other 
things used amongst that people. Now Peter, when the 
converts were grown stronger in the faith and in the grace 
of God, told them. It is not the putting away the filth of 
the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, 
by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; and Paul, although 
he did once in condescension circumcise Timothy, yet told 
the people at another time, that neither circumcision nor 
uncircumcision availeth any thing, but a new creature; 
and if they were circumcised, Christ would profit them no- 
thing : and he also thanks God, he baptized no more than 
Crispus and Gains, and the household of Stephanus; be- 
sides these, he knew not that he had baptized any other; 
for Christ sent him not to baptize, but to preach the Gos- 
pel. And I am, as I said to the Friend, of the prophet's 
mind, when he said, The elements should melt as with 
fervent heat. If the Gospel power be not this fervent heat, 
I know not what it is, nor what is able to melt away the 
elements. But I further said, if he was a Baptist, he 
should deal plainly and honestly with Friends, and tell 
them what he was, and not preach one thing, and keep 
such reserves to himself. 

Friends admired and said, they had not the least 
thought of any such thing by him; so he said, he would 
not fall out with me. I told him I was as much for peace 
as he was, but at the same time I would have us to mind 
that we were sound in the faith and preachers of the Gos- 
pel, and not go back again into the beggarly elements; for 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 149 

what is all in comparison of tlie love of Grod in Christ 
Jesus. 

I had good service and great satisfaction upon this 
island, although I found Truth so low that it might then 
be truly said, as formerly. By whom shall Jacob or the 
true Seed arise, which is in our apprehensions but small, 
and much pressed down with the many things that are 
hurtful, especially by the love of money, pride, and for- 
getfulness of God. 

I was invited on board a great transport-ship, whereof 
one Reed was master, who remembered me when I was but 
young, and was travelling to or near Scarborough : he was 
loving to me and several Friends who were with me, and 
I had good service on board. There was also on board a 
French Protestant, now a captain of the English transport 
soldiers, bound for Jamaica : he lodged at John G-roves, 
and was a very civil man, and said, if I would go with 
Captain E-eed, who offered if I was going to carry me to 
Jamaica free, he would wait on me if I was sick or ailed 
any thing, and would gladly have had my company. I 
acknowledged both their generosity and civility to me, and 
so I took leave of them, and of the noble Captain Salter, 
who I have had occasion both to mention and to love, who 
took his solid leave of me and wept like a child, and said 
openly in the hearing of many. That he never loved a 
man so well before, and though he did not want business, 
yet for my sake he would serve my Friends what lay in 
his power, or near those words. 

I find, as we live and walk in the Truth, there is an 
inward witness which Grod hath placed in the hearts of 
men that is reachable, except in such who are arrived to a 
great degree of hardness and insensibility, and so have 
little sense or perceivance of good, either in themselves or 

18* 



150 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

in others, — whicli is a deplorable state, and much to be 
lamented. Oh what grief of heart and spirit it hath been 
to me, to hear and see the wickedness of some! If such 
wickedness was as great a trouble to them who acted it as 
it was to me, I have thought they would soon grow weary 
of it. 

Now I left the island, and embarked on board a ship, 
John G-riffith master, bound for Bristol, in Old England, 
and went to sea with some East-India ships that had put 
in at Barbadoes, having a ship of war or two for their 
convoy. After we were got to sea, they had so much drink- 
ing and carousing that we grew weary of staying with 
them, and after some consideration the captain, who was a 
Friend, left them and came safe to England. 

In our passage we had some rough weather near the 
Tropic, which I mentioned before, and the men and cap- 
tain being much disordered with watching and hard la- 
bour, as I remember, for eight-and-forty hours night and 
day, a calm ensuing, the captain desired me to take his 
place for his watch, and mind the helmsman, and see that 
he made straight steerage ', but alas ! he was so sleepy, it 
was next to impossible to keep him awake. I walked on 
the deck, and had overmuch work to mind the compass 
and the helmsman too ; for a fine breeze of wind came on, 
and all of a sudden a very unusual fear fell on me, and I 
looked into the sea, and beheld it appeared to turn blue, 
and as far as I could discern to windward, I saw white 
caps or the water-freckle : on seeing which, through fear, 
more than any great skill, I stamped with my foot as 
though I would have broke the deck. Out came the cap- 
tain, but what ^vith fear and sleep he could scarce hit the 
door out of the cabin. When he was got upon the deck, he 
stamped, and called out all his hands, and bid them lower 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 151 

and furl the sails with speed, or else we were all dead men, 
for here is a hurricane just upon us. And no sooner 
was all made snug as well as could be (as the seamen 
phrase it), but the wind blew so, that we thought it would 
have turned the bottom of the ship upward, — the like I 
never saw; and, as the captain said, we had not one minute 
to spare of being cast away, according to all human proba- 
bility; and as the seamen term it, it was such hurry-durry 
thick weather, that we could scarce see any thing a hun- 
dred yards, which violent weather held for about an hour, 
in which time we drove by a vessel, and were so near her, 
that I thought I could have flung a stone aboard. Our 
ship's crew were sore afraid, and looked upon her to be a 
robber. Her rudder was lashed or tied up, and the men 
were all gone off the deck; but our mariners were so af- 
frighted, that they thought they would set some sail and 
follow us ; for no sooner were we past this ship but the 
weather grew better, and away we ran in hazard of bring- 
ing the masts by the board; but through the Divine Provi- 
dence of Him that is Lord over all, both sea and land, we 
escaped and came safe into Cork, in Ireland, where the mas- 
ter lived, and rode there for some time, and then weighed 
for Bristol, intending for the Yearly Meeting there. 

We had rough weather in crossing the channel before 
we came into the Severn, where our sailors, being afraid of 
being pressed, launched the boat, and ran away into Corn- 
wall, leaving but four on board to bring the ship up the 
river. We saw, a pinnace, having in it a lieutenant with a 
crew of pressed men, to press more if they could find them, 
and our master called on me, and desired I would put on 
my best clothes and come to him, and so I did, and he set 
me on his right hand. By this time up comes the lieu- 
tenant and asked for my men, taking me for the master. 



152 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

I told him, they had launched the long-boat and were gone, 
and we could not hinder them, they being the strongest 
party; at which he appeared very much enraged, and 
seemed as though he would have struck at me. I told 
him calmly, he had more need pity than be angry with us, 
for if there should be a gale of wind, we were in great 
danger of all perishing for want of hands, for I showed 
him what force we had, viz., James Bates, whom I did not 
then call my companion, nor John Griffith captain, the 
cabin boy and myself were all the men on board. But he 
asked, what for a man that was who sat beside me ? I told 
him, he was a man sufficiently secured against the press. 
Then the rough man fell, and said, I looked like an honest 
man, and he would take my word and not search for men. 
I ordered a bottle of the best liquor on board to be brought, 
and then the lieutenant and I parted very friendly. 

I write not this as a thing I approved, but disliked ; 
but being taken at unawares, had not time to shun it, as 
before mentioned, unless I had exposed my friend the 
master of the ship ; although I neither said nor did, that 
I know of, any thing worse than what thou seest here 
written. I told the captain I thought he was a great 
coward, and had exposed me to danger to save himself. 

Wind and weather favouring us, we came in due time 
to Bristol Yearly Meeting, where I met with William Ed- 
mundson, and was truly glad to see him with many more 
at that place ; but my companion falling sick, I was made 
willing to leave him, and travelled to London with John 
Watson, of Ireland, and a sweet-spirited man he was. We 
got to London Yearly Meeting, where I discharged myself 
of what I had upon my mind, and came away in peace and 
in the feeling of the love of God. 

John Haydock and I came from London together, and 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 153 

had meetings in our way to York Yearly Meeting, where 
I was glad to see my home Friends, and to enjoy the love 
of God once more with them, — for this is our principal 
crown and kingdom in this world, to enjoy the favourable 
countenance of the Lord, and one another in His living 
anid internal presence ', and when I looked back upon all 
the mercies and deliverances I had received from the 
mighty Grod of heaven and earth, seas and rivers of water, 
whose hand made all, and whose eye and watchful Provi- 
dence attends all and' is over all, my soul was filled with 
thanks and praises to the great and most excellent name 
of Him who lives for ever, and hath helped my soul to 
overcome many strong temptations, and hath borne up my 
head under many deep afflictions and tribulations, re- 
nowned for ever be His holy name. 

I came home the 18th of the Fourth month, 1703, and 
found my children well ; and now I was under a thought- 
fulness how to walk and demean myself, so as that I might 
be preserved near the Lord, and in due reverence and true 
fear before Him ; that inasmuch as I found there was some- 
thing of holiness unto the Lord imprinted or engraven 
upon the fleshly table of my heart, that now in this time, 
when I was not so particularly and immediately concerned 
in the like daily travel on Truth's account, I might not 
lose the savour, relish, and sensation of heavenly things. 
Some will read me here in this short survey I have been 
taking of my present state and thoughtfulness, that if I 
could not make it better, I might not make it worse, either 
in doing or not doing any thing that might prove a hurt 
to me; for a vessel had better be laid by, if it can be 
spared, than used to its hurt. Now in this careful and 
watchful frame of mind, I have found preservation from 
time to time to this day, by retaining the salt of the king- 



154 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

dom in the soul of the inward man, whicli is of a preserving 
quality, with which the vessel is, and can only be kept fit 
for the Master's use. If we lose this, the creature soon 
grows out of order and unfit for the Master's use. Read 
and consider these things in time, while thou hast the 
prize in thy hand and time to do, and receive good at the 
hand of Him who is truly full of good, and is all good : 
to Him be the offerings of praise and renown, now and for 
ever. 

Whilst I remained at home, as my usual manner was, 
I attended First-day and Week-day and Monthly Meet- 
ings, as also Quarterly and other meetings for the service 
of Truth, and visited many meetings up and down in the 
country, and had good service and much satisfaction in 
being given up to the service of Truth ; but did not see it 
convenient, as my children were well placed, to settle to 
keep a family, until my way appeared clear to marry, 
which did now draw on; and after I had been near seven 
years a widower I married Anne Robinson, who descended 
of a substantial family at Hutton in the Hole, in the Parish 
of Lestingham, not far from Kirby-moorside in Yorkshire. 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 155 



CHAPTER VII. 

Anne Richardson Appears in the Ministry — Growth Therein — 
Her Testimony against Superfluity of Dress and Corrupt Lan- 
guage — John Bowstead's Testimony Concerning Her Zeal for 
the Truth — Her Death — His Travels in the Ministry. 

We HAD not been married much above two years, be- 
fore my wife began to appear in the public work of the 
ministry, and indeed very comfortably and acceptably to 
Friends, and she grew in understanding both of the Dis- 
cipline of the Church of Christ and also in further know- 
ledge in the work of the living ministry, etc. And about 
that time it came upon me to visit Friends in most parts 
of the northern counties in England ; and some small time 
after my return, I had a concern to visit Friends in several 
parts of the southern counties ; Thomas Beedal being my 
companion, who grew in the Truth and also in the min- 
istry. We had many good meetings in that journey, good 
service and great satisfaction, and I returned home in 
peace. 

Now I may say with sorrow of heart, the time drew 
on apace when my virtuous wife atid I must part, and be 
no longer meet-helps to one another, which we truly were, 
and never had either evil word or evil thought against each 
other, I am fully satisfied; but lived in peace and true 
love one with another, and were glad when we could either 
one or both serve Truth and Friends; therefore I find it 
on my mind, in this place, to insert the following relation 
concerning her, viz, : — 



156 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 



A short Account of the Life, Convincement, Qualifica- 
tions, and Dying Sayings of that Faithful Handmaid 
of the Lord, Anne Richardson, who departed this Life 
the 18th of Twelfth month, 1711, Aged about Thirty - 
three Years. 

Slie was descended of an honest and considerable 
family of the Robinsons, at Hutton in the Hole, in York- 
shire, and was convinced in her young years, and received 
the Truth in the love of it, and it became valuable and pre- 
cious to her above all things in this world ; and through 
the blessed work and operation of the Grrace and Holy 
Spirit of Truth, she was weaned from the world's pleasures, 
vanities, and recreations, from taking any delight in them; 
and through the virtuous and most precious blood of 
Christ, she came to witness her heart sprinkled from an 
evil conscience, and in a good degree made able to serve 
the living God, and bore a faithful testimony against the 
needless and superfluous dresses and fashions of the world, 
as also against the corrupt language thereof; and came to 
be a great lover of virtue and purity, and had great satis- 
faction in being in good Friends' company, and at Friends' 
meetings, a,nd in much retirement and waiting upon the 
Lord, who in great mercy and condescension to the desire 
of His handmaid, gave her a large share, not only of the 
enjoyment of His living power and internal presence, but 
also a knowledge and clear sight into those things that 
appertained to life and salvation. And after Truth thus 
prevailed over her, it brought every thought into the 
obedience of Christ, and subjected her will to the will of 
God, which is a great work, yet requisite to the new birth, 
without which there is no regeneration ; and without 



LIFE OP JOHN RICHARDSON. 157 

regeneration and being born again, there is no entering 
into tbe kingdom of lieaven. 

After this great change was wrought in her, it was evi- 
dent through the remaining part of her time that she was 
much preserved under the power, influence, and guidance 
of the peaceable, meek, and quiet spirit of Jesus Christ, and 
grew daily more and more in the favour and love of Grod, 
and was much beloved of Q-od's people, and indeed of her 
relations, neighbours and acquaintance, who were not of 
her persuasion; and she walked so wisely and prudently 
in all her ways, that she sought not her own honour and in- 
terest, but the honour of the Lord and inward peace with 
Him, which she had a regard unto in all her undertakings; 
so that even such who sought for an occasion against Truth 
and the professors of it had nothing to say against her, 
not even from" her childhood to the day of her death, for 
she was generally beloved and spoken well of by all who 
knew her, and many were deeply and sorrowfully affected 
to part with her, both Friends and others ; the like hath 
not often been seen in those parts, and not without some 
cause, for she was a woman of an upright life, and exem- 
plary conversation before all, and gave no offence to Jew 
or Gentile, nor to the Church of Christ; charitable to the 
poor, a true sympathizer with such as were in affliction and 
distress, whether in body or in mind, which was manifested 
in her frequent visits to such, and by other means clearly 
demonstrated. She was a woman endued with great pa- 
tience, and with a quiet and serene mind, well qualified 
and fitted to her husband's circumstances, whose lot it was 
often to be abroad in the service of the Truth ; an hon- 
ourable and a faithful wife, willing to give up her all for 
Christ and the Gospel's sake, counting nothing in this 
world too near or dear to part with for the glory of God 

H 



158 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

and the advancement of tlie ever blessed Truth, peace, and 
salvation of her own soul, and the good of others. 

One thing is remarkable and worthy of commemora- 
tion, which I insert as followeth, that others in the like 
case may not barely and outwardly imitate her, but feel- 
ingly come up in her heavenly practice and experience, 
under the influence, light, and help of Grod's Holy and 
Blessed Spirit, viz. : When that worthy servant of Jesus 
Christ, John Bowstead, returned from London Yearly 
Meeting through several counties to York, and so home 
with me, not long before my wife was taken away; and 
having some discourse with her, he asked about several 
things of moment, especially about her husband being so 
much from home, she gave him this answer : That inas- 
much as she gave up her husband cheerfully and freely to 
serve the Lord, and to be serviceable to the Church of 
Christ, she did not only sympathize and feel with him in 
his most adverse and low state, but partook with him in 
his best enjoyments, when the power of Truth prevailed 
over all its enemies. Although I am then far from him, 
yet I partake of the spoil, or the shedding abroad of the 
good things of God among His people, as my heart goes 
along with the work of the Lord, and such as are engaged 
in it; and in all my husband's afflictions I am afflicted 
with him. And one of my main concerns is, that neither 
I, nor any thing in this world, may detain my husband 
from doing what the Lord calls for at his hand } for if 
any thing hurt him as to the Truth, what good can I ex- 
pect of him ? This John much admired, with the deep 
and weighty reasons she gave about the Christian Disci- 
pline of the. Church, and concerning the ministry, the like, 
he said, he had not met with in all his travels before; yet 
she was a woman of few words, and expressed much in a 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 159 

little compass. And wlien she was taken away, oh! the 
loss and sorrow he expressed to me in a letter concerning 
her death. 

She was very clear in her understanding, had a pene- 
trating and discerning eye, a great and inward sense of the 
state of a meeting, as also of their several particular states. 
I cannot at present describe to the full all the hidden vir- 
tues of this handmaid of the Lord, but there were many 
visible fruits of her virtuous mind that did appear to the 
children of men, some of which were these, viz, : She was 
an affectionate and tender mother to her children, yet did 
correct them when occasion required, without passion or 
the least appearance of disorder of mind, and still had 
them in great subjection; at which I often admired, and 
thought, surely she is come, by the workings of the Holy 
Spirit, to a greater dominion over her own spirit than many 
who appeared to be her equals. She was a true Christian, 
a loving and dutiful child to her parents, a good neigh- 
bour, a faithful wife, a loving and tender-hearted dame 
over her servants, and overcame them with love, and was 
much beloved by them, and also feared : they loved her, 
and were very unwilling to disoblige or offend her. 

She appeared and behaved herself as became a sancti- 
fied vessel that was in a good degree fitted and prepared 
for the great Master's use; and often appeared as one that 
had been secretly in some intercourse with Jesus Christ in 
spirit, where his glory had more particularly shone in and 
over her soul, not only because of the gravity and solidity 
of her countenance, but also the tenderness, humility, and 
sweetness of her mind and spirit, weightiness of her con- 
versation, edification of her advice, soundness of her judg- 
ment, and clearness of her understanding, all which made 
her company very acceptable while among the living. 



160 LIFE or JOHN RICHARDSON. 

Her heart was often filled with the love of God, and early 
raised and enabled to speak a word in season unto many 
states and conditions, whether at home or abroad, in her 
own family, amongst her neighbours, or in the Church of 
Christ, in testimony to matters relating to the worship of 
God, or in matters relating to Discipline, especially in the 
meetings of her own sex, where she had a great service, 
and will be greatly wanted. She had great care upon her 
for the good education of our youth in plainness of habit 
and language, that they might be preserved out of the cor- 
ruptions of the world in all the parts thereof; in all which 
services she will be much missed : yet we being sensible 
that her removal is her great gain, it helps to alleviate our 
sorrow and loss, which is great, and will not soon be for- 
gotten by many who had the benefit and comfort of her 
good services. Also her watchful and solid sitting in our 
meetings for worship was remarkable, with very little mo- 
tion that was perceivable ; yet when the least stirrings of 
life in her mind were perceived, in order to bring her forth 
in testimony, the meeting was truly glad, and the living 
amongst us rejoiced at it, for her appearance was with the 
wise, and in the language of the Holy Spirit, which was 
a clear demonstnition that the work was the Lord's and by 
and through His spirit and power ; all which gave her a 
great place in the minds of faithful Friends and brethren. 
But she is gone in the prime and flower of her age ! which 
sets before and is a memento unto us, to show us the un- 
certainty of our time here, and to prepare for one certain 
to come, that death may not overtake us at unawares be- 
fore we are prepared for it. 

I come now to the time of her long weakness, in which 
she was preserved in great patience, steadiness, and resig- 
nation of mind to the will of God, even unto the end; and 



LirE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 161 

she enjoyed much, heavenly comfort and consolation in the 
living presence of the Lord to her immortal soul, so that 
when she was asked, Whether she thought she might 
recover or not? She mildly replied, she was afraid to 
desire to live ; because, said she, I believe if it please the 
Lord to take me away now, it will be well with me, for I 
find nothing that lies as a burden upon my spirit. At an- 
other time she said. As to that little testimony I have been 
concerned in, this is my comfort and satisfaction, that I 
can truly say I did not kindle any strange fire, and there- 
fore could not warm myself at the sparks thereof; but 
what I did in that matter was in the constraining of the 
love of Grod, and when my cup was full, I a little emptied 
myself among the Lord's people, yet very sensible of my 
owu weakness and poverty, and often thought myself un- 
worthy of the least of the Lord's mercies. 

Many savoury expressions she spoke that were not 
written then, and therefore could not be remembered : we 
having some hopes of her recovery, it rather caused an 
omission as to such a due observance of what she said as 
otherwise it is like would have been ; although she was 
heard to say not long before she fell weak, she thought 
her time would not be long in this world. I never heard 
an unbecoming or unsavoury word come from her, let the 
provocation thereto be what it would, no, not in the time 
of her health ; and in her weakness, she was much swal- 
lowed up in the luminous and internal presence of her 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and often sang praises 
unto his worthy name, and appeared as one wholly re- 
deemed from this world, whose heart was set upon, and 
mind intent, and earnestly engaged in the pursuit after 
heaven and heavenly things. Blessed be the Lord, she 
had witnessed a part in the first resurrection, and over 



162 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

such the second death hath no power ; and no doubt but 
she lived and believed in Jesus Christ, even unto the end 
of her time here, and passed away without any appearance 
of struggling or sorrow, I believe, into a mansion of glory, 
where her soul shall sing Hallelujah to the Lord Grod and 
the Lamb for ever, with all those who have overcome the 
world, the beast, and false prophet, and every thing the 
Lord's controversy is with, and who have not loved their 
lives unto death, but given up that life they had in any 
wrong thing whatsoever. 

When I had drawn up the foregoing account, and 
showed it to some discreet Friends, they said it was not 
beyond her worth; yet when I looked it over again, with 
an intent to insert it here, I thought it looked too large ; 
but upon more mature deliberation, I could not jBnd what 
part to omit, but it would hurt the whole matter, therefore 
as I found it contained encouragement to all tender and 
well-minded people to persevere in faithfulness unto the 
end; caution against pride, passion, and indulging or spar- 
ing any wrong thing in church or family; and something 
of advice to several conditions and growths in the Church 
of Christ ; it appeared most easy to me, not to lose any of 
those good fragments which had any thing of a heavenly 
savour in them, and if I have not missed it, there is some- 
thing that has a living relish, for without that I should 
soon be weary of either writing or speaking. 

Not long after the departure of my wife, it came upon 
me to visit the southern parts of England and some parts 
of Wales, and I had good service and great satisfaction ; 
and I was also at London, John Adam being my com- 
panion, who was an innocent, clean-spirited man. 

Again, I found it :''equired of me to visit the south- 
west parts of England in the year 1717, and I travelled 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 163 

through the west part of Yorkshire into Westmoreland, 
Lancast'ershire, Cheshire, and so on to Bristol, and as far as 
Cornwall, and had many good meetings; although I tra- 
velled alone, yet the Lord, in whom I put my trust and de- 
pended upon, helped me, and bore up my head through 
and over all, renowned be His most honourable name, now 
and for ever. 



164 LIFE or JOHN RICHARDSON. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Second Visit to Friends in Ireland — Reflections on the State of 
the Society — Departure from Simplicity in Dress — Sickness — 
Thomas Wilson — Controversy with a Doctor and Priest — Dis- 
cussion vrith a Papist — Views on the Payment of Tithes. 

In the year 1722, it was renewed upon me to go into 
Ireland ; the thouglits of it had been long upon my mind, 
but now the time seemed to be fully come to pay that long 
thought of visit; and Joseph Bunting, of Cumberland, 
being my companion, we went from Kendal Yearly Meet- 
ing, which was a large and good meeting, and passed along 
to Whitehaven, and took shipping for Dublin, and staid 
their Half-Year's Meeting, which was large, and in which 
the living power and presence of the Lord was felt 
amongst us. Exalted over all be the mighty name of the 
Lord, for those and all His mercies. 

I had there many good meetings, and also met with 
some hard ones, as is the lot of such who are called to this 
vocation; and the best way I have found, when I met with 
such, is first to regard our call^ then to mind our daily 
steps we take in that vocation into which we are called, 
and take special care to have along with us the company 
and counsel of Him that hath so called us. This is the 
way fully and truly to discharge ourselves of that trust 
the Lord hath reposed in us, to the mutual comfort and 
edification of the churches of Christ, and also to the peace 
and consolation of our own souls. 

It is now with me to write the following remarks of 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 165 

Ireland, which will not be remote to the state of Friends 
in many other places, where there is a right, sound, living 
ministry preserved, and good Discipline exercised, which 
mostly go together. There Truth and Friends are kept 
generally in good esteem, and also thriving; but where 
these fail, especially the Discipline, oh ! how undue liberty 
and the fashions of the world, with many corrupting 
things, creep in amongst the professors of Truth, even 
unto the reproach thereof, and scandal of those who are 
so prevailed upon ; and hearty sorrow of such as know and 
feel the hurt of these things. Oh ! what a hinderance this 
is to the progress of the ever blessed Truth in the earth ; 
and indeed it hath been in my mind, that the main work 
in this our day is to search into the churches, and endea- 
vour to bring them into such a condition, that it may once 
more be said. Follow Christ, as you have us for example ; 
not only here and there one, but the believers in general. 
So it will be, when we as a people all speak the same 
thing, or that which is agreeable, as well in our practice 
(so often recommended) as in faith and doctrine; for I 
have ever understood example to be more prevalent than 
precept : but if any amongst Friends be grown so hardy 
and so insensible, as to prefer some foolish fashions, which 
to me appear to be shameful and indecent, it is an evident 
demonstration they are departed too much from the prin- 
ciples and practices of our worthy elders in the Truth; 
which I fear is the case of too many, both in that nation 
and in England. 

Let not any say, that I smite in the dark, and do not 
tell what I mean ; for some few particulars I intend to 
mention for the ease of my mind. I have seen several 
changes of fashions in forty years time. Our first Friends 
and promoters of Truth came out in the Lord's work and 



166 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSOX. 

heavenly power, plain, and generally continued so for their 
time; but alas! how soon there appeared an alteration, in 
some men especially, when the weight of sufferings was 
over. It then began to appear, and hath from time to time 
continued to increase ever since, among some professing 
Truth with us, not only in extravagant wigs, with much 
powder on them, but also in cross-pockets, needless capes, 
and divers cuts and shapes in their clothing, in conform- 
ity to the prevailing fashions of the times, as well as in 
setting up their hats : all which appear to be more likely 
to lead those wbo follow them into Egypt, or the world 
again, than into the heavenly country or Canaan, which 
we profess to be pressing after, and hope to obtain in the 
end. 

Now, not to let the females pass without my observa- 
tion on them : I well remember in my younger years, 
especially in great towns and cities, I have met with those 
that professed Truth with us, who have had but very little 
coverings on their heads, and others that have had more 
set up at a considerable distance above their foreheads, 
and both these sorts perhaps bare-necked. When I have 
met with such, I have said, what a fair or beautiful daugh- 
ter of Zion wouldest thou be, if thou wouldest put on Truth 
and Clirist's righteousness, and put away all those foolish 
fashions ? And in families, when I have asked some par- 
ticulars, what they could say for these dresses, and being 
so naked, both neck and shoulders, I received this answer, 
or something like it. That it was good for their health to 
keep their temples cool, and to learn to be hardy, by ex- 
posing themselves thus to the air in their youth. But if 
that was the true reason, I added this caution to them : 
to consider duly, if religion did not, yet the modesty of 
their sex should, reclaim them from it. Sometimes, with 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 167 

the dislike I showed to these things, I advised them, that 
they would cover their naked skin, and no more expose 
themselves to the lust and vain speculation of the worst 
and great trouble of their best friends ; and worst of all, 
to the great hurt of themselves, and in a manner destroy- 
ing all reasonable claim to Christ. For how can our love 
to and faith in him be true and sound, when our practice 
is so remote from the practice and example of Christ and 
hi^ apostles, which they gave and endeavoured to incul- 
cate ? Be not conformed to this world, but be ye trans- 
formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove 
what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of Grod, 
Rom. xii. 2. Whose adorning let it not be that outward 
adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing gold, or of 
putting on of apparel. But let it be the hidden man of 
the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the orna- 
ment of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of 
God of great price : for after this manner in the old time, 
the holy women also who trusted in Grod adorned them- 
selves, being in subjection unto their own husbands. 1 Pet. 
iii. 3-5. Alas! woe is me, for the hurt of the daughter 
of Zion, when I consider with regret from whence such 
are fallen, if ever restored out of the fall. 

If we as a people should follow such examples as I 
have touched upon, certainly we shall become an hissing 
and a bye-word to all nations round about, who may have 
heard of us, and what great things the Lord of hosts hath 
done for us since we became a people, as may and has been 
seen and heard in examples, words, and writings from our 
faithful Friends and brethren (the chief promulgators of 
Truth and righteousness) in their unwearied labours, faith, 
and sufferings for the cause and testimony of Jesus Christ; 
and what also was not less remarkable, by their exemplary 



168 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

lives of plainness, humility, sincerity, and self-denial, with 
works of charity. 

Now, thou that readest this, beware that thou dost not 
let in any wrong mind, and in that begin to judge me in- 
stead of judging thyself j for as far as I know, I have but 
done my duty : see first, that thou dost thine before thou 
begins to judge me. Bear this caution from thy friend, 
thou that God hath endued with His Spirit, and wait till 
this Holy Spirit of Truth is upon thee a Spirit of Judg- 
ment. As thou abidest under these qualifications, thou art 
fit to sit in judgment, and judge wrong things in thyself 
first, next in thy family, and then in the Church of Christ; 
and be unwearied in thy labours to preserve, as well as to 
restore, what thou art capable of doing in the Church of 
Christ, from all wrong ways and things : for if corruption 
and slackness come in, and prevail over the leader, as weH 
as over those whom Grod hath raised thee up to be a help 
unto, then will the Lord deal with both thee and them 
some other way; for I am satisfied the Lord will turn His 
hand upon His people in these days, as he did upon Israel 
formerly, saying, by His prophet, He would purge away 
her dross, and take away all her tin, — not only all gross 
evils, but also that which in appearance may be like Truth, 
but is not Truth. This was and will be the way to restore 
judges as at the first, and counsellors as at the beginning. 
Oh ! then shall the Grentiles see Thy righteousness, and all 
kings Thy glory, said the prophet. 

Although there is great occasion for an amendment in 
many, yet there is a bright and heavenly-minded remnant 
in England, Ireland, and many other parts of the world, 
against whom I find not any thing to press upon my mind 
to complain of; but a word of encouragement springs in 
the life, in the love and good will of God, to press and 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 169 

persuade you to a steady perseverance in tlie true faitli, 
and in an exemplary and pious life ; I never saw more need 
of this than now, according to my view of the state of 
things; that when the Lord the righteous Judge, who will 
bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, 
these, as before mentioned, may be found clear of the blood 
of all men, seeing that they have warned them, and given 
notice when they have seen any danger, or an enemy ap- 
proach nigh to them. 

Here is work for such as God hath set up as watchmen 
over His people, to see that those do not go on in bye-ways 
who profess Truth, and leave the way of Truth unoccupied 
by them; here is work for the true judges, who have the 
Spirit of Judgment upon them : and notwithstanding 
some here and there, who may be found in the faithful 
'discharge of that trust the Lord hath reposed in them, 
may meet with some opposition from such as are unfaith- 
ful, and not willing to be bounded and girded by the 
Truth, no not so much as to an outward conformity to the 
plainness and decency, so much and frequently recom- 
mended by the writings, by public testimonies, and also in 
our meetings for Discipline; for it is a considerable branch 
of our meetings for Discipline, to inspect into and take 
care to see that Friends walk orderly as becomes our holy 
profession; and where wrong steps are made, and wrong 
ways are gone into, and liberty taken by any who do pro- 
fess Truth with us, that such may be dealt with, and the 
evil, as also the bad consequences thereof, laid before 
them, and they be laboured with, and not left For al- 
though it may be but a small appearance or beginning of 
a leprosy, which is naturally apt to spread, unless proper 
applications, and in due time too, be made in the wisdom 
and love of Grod ; yet if any there be who prefer their own 

15 



170 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

wills, and so far love that life they have in those things, 
that are not only evil in themselves, hut also of evil con- 
sequence hy their bad example, more than they love Truth 
and the unity of the brethren, such had better for Truth's 
sake, and for the reputation of the testimony thereof, be 
dealt with for the ease of the minds of the faithful, who 
suffer under the sense they frequently labour of a cloud of 
darkness and oppression, wrong ways and wrong things. 

It may not be amiss to give a hint here, at what door 
many have gone out into divers evils : first, by being 
brought by custom to be in love with strong drink, and 
keeping loose company; for even such have been so far a 
means to corrupt, and in time to draw away the mind from 
that simplicity and purity the Lord's people ought to live 
in, until a cloud has come over the understanding, and the 
sense of the virtue and heavenly savour of the precious 
Truth is lost; and then the old inhabitants of the land 
(comparatively speaking) crowd in again, as pride, passion, 
lust, envy, loose conversation, open drunkenness; nay, some 
worse spirits than ever had possessed them before, have 
now entered their minds with the former, that were once 
measureably overcome and cast out. It is therefore cer- 
tain, that the end of these will be miserable, except the 
Lord grants them a place of repentance while here. 

Now my tender and well beloved friends, watch against 
and strive to keep out the enemy, that he enter not ; for 
what way soever he enters and gets footing, he defiles 
God's temple; and before thou witnesseth the Lord to de- 
stroy him and cast him out again, thou must have many 
a sore combat, and some warfare, perhaps more than thou 
art aware of, before thou gainest all the ground thou hast 
lost by giving way to the adversary of thy soul ; therefore 
keep upon thy watch-tower, watch unto the end: watch 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 171 

and pray continually, that ye enter not into temptation, 
said our great Lord unto his followers. For I have found 
by experience, that it is harder to gain what we have lost, 
than to keep it while we had it; and to improve our 
talents is not only the way to have them continued, but 
also to have them more abundantly added unto us ; but 
such as do not improve what is given unto them, even that 
which they have been intrusted with shall be taken from 
them. Oh! how desolate and miserable such will be in 
the day of account, when Christ, like a great shepherd, 
divides the sheep from the goats, and between the sloth- 
ful and the faithful servants, between the wise and the 
foolish virgins, and between all those who adhered to, 
obeyed, and followed him according to the measure of 
light and knowledge received, and those who have re- 
jected and disobeyed the strivings and convictions of Grod's 
Holy Light and Blessed Spirit, placed in the hearts of the 
children of men to enlighten, instruct, reprove, comfort, 
and guide, according to the state of every individual mind, 
as it is comformable or disobedient to inward conviction. 
So is this holy gift a witness for or against, to accuse or 
excuse in thy conscience, according as thy good or evil 
doings are and do prevail in thy heart and soul. But this 
is somewhat a digression from the historical part of my tra- 
vels ; for, as I have mentioned before my going into Ire- 
land, I shall now say something more particularly thereof. 
We journeyed from Dublin toward Cork, and had sev- 
eral meetings in our way, as at Ballicane, Culladine, Wex- 
ford, Lambstown, Waterford, Clonmel, Cashel, Youghall, 
Cork, and staid their Province Meeting for Munster, which 
was a good and large meeting. I was much out of order 
here, by reason of a fever and ague which held me several 
days, and I was much obliged to my friends, John Dobbs, 



172 LIFE or JOHN RICHARDSON. 

Joseph Hoare and his family, for the great care they took 
of me in this my weak state. I was not without some rea- 
sonings for a time, as to my being out of my native coun- 
try; but the Lord who is mighty in power helped me and 
raised me again, and gave me ability to discharge myself 
of that service I was called to, honoured for ever be the 
great name of the Lord for this and all His mercies. 

Next we came to Charleville, Limerick, Ross, and 
from thence to John Ashton's, Birr, James Hutchinson's, 
Montrath, Mountmeleck, Henry Ridgway's, and from Bal- 
linakil to Montrath again, and were at their Six-weeks' 
Meeting, which was a heavenly and good meeting, there 
being a living remnant there. Then we came to Kil- 
conner, Carlow, Ballitore, John Stephenson's, Timahoe, 
Edenderry, and went to see my good friend Thomas Wil- 
son, who was sore troubled with the gravel. I was much 
afflicted and truly sympathized with him in my spirit, and 
John Bancroft, that true man, and I did what we could 
for our afflicted brother, and so left him and his family in 
the love of God ; and went to Lismoiny, the Moat, Waters- 
town, Balimurry, Athlone, and had another meeting at 
the Moat; Oldcastle, Ballihays, Coothill, Castleshean, Bal- 
lihagan, Charlemount, Dumclaudy, Colrain, James Moor's, 
the Grrange, Antrim, Lisborn, Hillsborough, and were at 
their Province Meeting, which was held at Ballenderry, 
and were also at some meetings twice; Monallen, Turmery, 
Lurgan, Raffer Island, Newry, and from thence to Drog- 
heda, and so to Dublin, being the 29th of the Fifth month, 
1722, and stayed there some meetings; and a living rem- 
nant there is in that city, but it is a rich place. The 
mighty Grod of heaven and earth keep His people low and 
truly humble in that great city and every where else, is the 
earnest desire of my soul to the Lord; for I know there is 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 173 

a considerable remnant, whose labour and daily travail is 
to have the Church kept clean from all manner of defile- 
ments both of flesh and spirit, so that she may be pre- 
sented unto Grod the Father without spot, or wrinkle, or any 
such thing, in the day when she must appear before the 
great Judge of all the earth, who will do right unto every 
one, according as their works are found to be good or evil. 
Being clear of Dublin and the whole nation, I took 
shipping for Whitehaven, and had a short passage, but a 
very rough one, and had some meetings in my way home, 
to which I got on the 21st of the Sixth month, 1722, and 
found my children recovered from the fever and ague in 
which I left them when I took my journey, which distem- 
per had so far prevailed over them, that they were some- 
times scarcely sensible. It had been upon them for a con- 
siderable time, and it proved a trial to me to leave them 
in that very weak state ; but one day as I sought the Lord 
in the fervency of my heart, to know whether I should 
leave these my two poor weak children or not, as also my 
house-keeper much in the same case (who were all my con- 
stant family), it sprang in my heart livingly, as though 
it had been spoken with a man's voice. Leave them, and 
I will take care of them. I said, Thou, the Lord, hath 
never failed me; I will leave them to Thee; do what seem- 
eth good in Thy eye with them. I looked then no more 
behind me, neither at them nor any thing else I had left, 
but became as if I had not any thing in the world. For 
thus it behoveth all the servants of Christ to do, even the 
married as if they were not married ; and those that buy 
any thing, as if they did not possess it. This is a liberty 
which many are strangers unto : it is wrought by the finger 
of God. It is the work of God's heavenly power to loosen 
man thus from the things of this world, and at the same 

15* 



174 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

time we are most bound unto Christ, yet enjoy a comforta- 
ble and heavenly freedom in our spirits in Christ, by our 
faith and obedience unto him, in and through all trials, 
provings, and adversities. And, dear Friends, the greater 
the cross, the greater is the crown and reward which all 
those possess, who do all things they do with a single mind 
and an upright heart unto the Lord in all things, and at 
all times. 

Thus the children of the Bridegroom are or ought to 
be espoused or married to Christ, and truly devoted to him, 
that so they may stand, as much as may be, disentangled 
from all mutable things, and cleave to and follow him 
when and wheresoever he calls and leads, and be in sub- 
jection to him, as a virtuous wife is not only bound, but 
willingly is subject, to her virtuous and preferable hus- 
band, — thus we may know and experience Christ to be- 
come our Holy Head, and that we may hold unto him, 
and that we may so walk and live, that he may take de- 
light in his Church (the body), to rule in and over it, as 
we have the state of the true Church and Christ repre- 
sented in the most excellent and sacred writings of the 
Holy Scriptures. Oh! that we may likewise know the 
marriage of the Lamb to be come, and that as of old, we 
may make ourselves ready, put off the sins and corruptions 
of the world that are through lust, and put on the Lord 
Jesus Christ, and his pure righteousness. This is the fine 
linen, the righteousness of the saints; this is the wedding 
garment; without which preparations, and true Bride's at- 
tire, I cannot see how any can expect an admittance into 
the Bridegoom's chamber. Therefore I entreat all such as 
do not find themselves in preparation, and have not their 
peace assured to them, and want the seal or evidence of 
the Spirit of the Lord that they are His, not to slumber 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 175 

away their precious time until tlie midniglit, least unex- 
pectedly tlie cry be heard to sound with terror in thy ears, 
Arise, trim thy lamp, for behold the Bridegroom cometh, 
who hath in times past exercised mercy and loving-kind- 
ness toward thee, and has sought divers ways to win thee 
to love him ; he has at times reproved thee for thy evil 
ways, and at other times hath set before thee the comforts 
and happiness thou shouldest possess, if thou wouldest 
obey and follow him ; nay, he hath wooed thee as a young 
man doth a virgin, and if thou hadst devoted thyself to 
him, he would have 'gathered and saved thee, and rejoiced 
over thee as a bridegoom doth over his bride. But if 
thou turnest thy back upon all his reproofs, entreaties, and 
endearments, as in the parable of the five foolish virgins, 
in the time when he (the Bridegroom) calls to an account, 
he will not know thee otherwise than to shut thee out of 
his presence and favour, notwithstanding whatever thou 
mayest have heard, received, or done, if thou continues to 
work wickedness, and art not reclaimed therefrom. 

These things sprang in my mind as a warning for all, 
to flee from every destructive thing, before the Lord over- 
takes them, when they cannot escape His hand of justice; 
and also, that the faithful may be encouraged in well- 
doing, and to a faithful perseverance to the end. Amen. 

Some things which have been omitted, I think proper 
to insert here, as worthy of observation. As I was trav- 
elling toward Lincoln, and passing through Brig, Friends 
gave me notice that there were two great disputants, a 
Nonconformist minister, and a doctor of physic, who were 
like to go all or most of the way with me, as the assizes 
were coming on, and would be at me with arguments about 
religion, which I soon found true; for we were no sooner 
got into a suitable way, but they began with me, which I 



176 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

endeavoured to prevent, by telling tliem, I did not look 
upon myself to be qualified for disputes; and withal I ob- 
served, that sometimes disputants ended in a worse under- 
standing one of another than when they began, except 
they minded well to keep good government; and now as 
we appeared free and friendly, how we might be when we 
had ended our dispute was a question, therefore I had 
rather they would forbear : but they turned the deaf ear 
to all that I said, and nothing would do with them, but a 
dispute we must have. I then asked them what they 
would say? They queried, Whether all men were placed 
in a station capable of salvation, yea or nay? I replied, 
if I should give my positive thoughts to your question, we 
shall have occasion to go back to treat of the nature, not 
only of the upright state, man was in before he fell, but 
also how he fell, and also in the fall, how he stands as in 
relation to his restoration, which brings us to the question. 
Although this be not the usual way of disputants, yet if 
you will submit to it, it will either answer your question, 
or set it in a clearer light for an answer. They asked. 
How could that be ? I replied, if it did not, they might 
say so. They then so far condescended as to hear me, and 
I said, first, we all agree in this, that man was made up- 
right; second, that he fell from that uprightness : the ques- 
tion then is. How ? Answer. By the ofi"ence or disobe- 
dience of the first man Adam, sin entered, and condemna- 
tion came upon all who had sinned. I then queried of the 
disputants, whether they believed that Adam's fall did 
aff"ect all those who did not hear of it, as well as those who 
did? For, I said, there were some of opinion, that those 
who had not the explicit or outward knowledge of the pro- 
mised Seed or coming of Christ, had not the benefit of his 
coming; and except they would first allow that all were 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 177 

affected or hurt by Adam's fall, then sucli as were not re- 
mained in Paradise to this day, except they would make 
the remedy less than the disease, the plaster less than the 
sore, and Christ's coming less extensive than Adam's fall. 
I argued, that upon the foot of reason, as well as what we 
had in plain Scripture, Christ's coming was as extensive 
as the fall of Adam ; for, by the obedience of Christ, the 
gift of God came upon all unto justification. 

Now I think, said I, your question is set in a clear 
light for an answer, or else answered ; so take it at what 
end you will (laying aside all quibbling), I intend to join 
issue with you, and prove that all men are placed in a sta- 
tion capable of salvation ; or otherwise you must leave a 
great part of the world in Paradise, or make the coming 
of Christ less extensive than the fall of Adam. I then 
queried, what they said to all this ? They answered, they 
never heard the like before, and they would not meddle 
with me, I was too great a scholar for them. I said, there 
was little of scholarship in it: I offered, I thought, nothing 
but plain Scripture and sound reason ; and I told them, I 
had now as good as answered their question, and had given 
several reasons to back my answer, and as they appeared 
wise, well-read men, and, as far as I had gathered, had 
been principled against universal salvation and universal 
grace, for them now to drop the matter so slenderly, before 
me who appeared but like a child to them, was very surpri- 
sing. But they replied, they would not meddle with me. 

I then commended them for their good temper, and 
the civility they showed to me, for they were civil to me 
beyond what I could expect; and they invited me to the 
burial of one of their deceased friends, but I could not 
go, for I was in haste to get to Lincoln, having some busi- 
ness there that hastened me. Now at parting with them, 



178 LIFE or JOHN RICHARDSON. 

my soul magnified the Lord under a sense of His good- 
ness to me, in that He had opened my way, and helped 
me through this difficulty, with many other trials and af- 
flictions I had met with. 

I had at another time some reasonings with a Papist 
who was my neighbour, about the visibility of their 
church and transubstantiation, with several other things. 
As to the first, I showed him, that the true Church fled 
into the wilderness, where she was for times, time, and 
half a time ; in this state we do not read she had any out- 
ward character as a visible church ; and that if they de- 
rived their descent, it was from some false church, and not 
through the true one. And as to the other, they took too 
much upon them, more than they could justify from Scrip- 
ture, or clearly demonstrate from Christ or his apostles; 
for Christ never gave any of them such a commission, as 
to convert bread and wine into real flesh and blood, and 
then to call it Christ. You, said I, by these notions, de- 
ceive yourselves and your adherents; for Christ spoke unto 
such as you by parables, because they were carnal, and did 
not understand the meaning of his sayings in this case, no 
more than the Jews understood what Christ meant, when 
he spoke of destroying this temple (meaning his body), 
which they understood was of that temple at Jerusalem, 
which they made a great wonder at, and said, How can 
this be that he can destroy this temple, and raise it up 
again in three days, when it was forty-eight years in build- 
ing ? Thus they reasoned carnally, as Nicodemus (though 
a ruler of the Jews) did concerning regeneration or the 
new birth ; and as the woman of Samaria did, from whence 
Christ should have that living water, which he spoke of, 
that should be in man as a well of water, springing up 
unto everlasting life; and as the Jews did, when Christ 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 179 

■ said, Except ye eat the flesli of the Son of man, and drink 
his blood, ye have no life in you : they said, how can this 
be, that he can give us his flesh to eat, and his blood to 
drink? But this is a spiritual eating and drinking; even 
as Christ said, Out of the belly of him that believes, shall 
flow rivers of living water ; which he spake of the Spirit. 
In like manner it is said in the Revelation, Behold, I stand 
at the door and knock, if any man hear my.voice and open 
unto me, I will come in and sup with him, and he with 
me. Here is an union of spirits between Christ and his 
faithful children, and here is an inward eating and drink- 
ing of the heavenly, spiritual, and mystical flesh and blood 
of Christ, which carnal men cannot eat of, neither can the 
carnal eye discern Christ's spiritual body, which he feeds 
his living and spiritual Church withal. When I had rea- 
soned with the man to this elFect, he went away seemingly 
not pleased, but would not from that time ever meddle 
with me any more. 

I need not say much here about Christ being come ; 
having showed, in a conference in New England, how he 
is come to answer his eating and drinking the Passover 
and Last Supper with his disciples, saying. He would 
drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until he drank it 
new with them in his Father's kingdom. Now he that 
hath experienced what this eating and drinking is, is come 
beybnd the outward eating and drinking into the king- 
dom which is within, which comes not with outward obser- 
vations, eatings, drinkings, nor carnal ordinances, but the 
kingdom of heaven consists in righteousness, peace, and 
joy in the Holy Ghost. 

Now read this, thou that canst, and learn to under- 
stand between the thing that points, and the thing which 
is pointed at, and between the thing signifying, and the 



180 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

thing signified, and mistake not the shadow for the sub- 
stance any longer; for it is possible a man may do all the 
outward parts, and yet be ignorant of the Cross of Christ 
and of the heavenly substance : but if he is come to the end 
of these outside things, to the Holy of Holies, such will 
know what it is to minister before the Lord in His temple, 
and to serve and wait at the Holy Altar, and live, and have 
that pure spiritual life preserved : for we read not of any 
tithes that appertain to this spiritual priesthood, or Gospel 
ministry; and what their outward maintenance was to be, 
is showed by Christ, beyond contradiction, who sent them 
forth. Where they were received (mark that well), they 
might eat such things as were set before them, but were 
not to take any thing from them by force, for that is out 
of the doctrine and practice, of Christ and his apostles. 

"Why do people call the Scripture their rule of faith 
and manners, when at the same time they believe and act 
contrary thereto ? for when I had some years before a de- 
bate with the priest of our parish, we meeting at Spouton, 
I being there upon some occasion, and several people met 
together, the priest demanded my reasons, why I did not 
pay him his tithe ? I used some persuasive arguments to 
put him off, not being willing at that time to enter into 
any debate with him ; but the more I showed my unwil- 
lingness to it, the more urgent he was upon me. So when 
I could not see how to avoid entering into some close de- 
bate with him, I desired he would not be angry, and he 
said he would not. I then showed in several particulars 
why I could not pay him any tithe, because I believed, if 
he was a minister of Jesus Christ, he ought not to claim 
any; for, as there was a change of the priesthood, there 
also must be of necessity a change of the law, as we see 
in Heb. vii. 12, and to pretend to draw any command or 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 181 

example from Christ or liis apostles, out of the Xew Tes- 
tament, for that purpose, appears to me weak and incon- 
sistent. 

We had some further discourse upon the ground of his 
right and title to tithes, — whether Jure divino^ as they 
used to be formerly claimed; or Jure hicmano, that is, by 
human laws, as most of the modern priests seem to choose 
to fix their title, I bid him fix his right for tithes on 
which claim he pleased, and I would endeavour to answer 
him as well as I could; but he seemed not to fix upon 
either. Whereupon I told him, that there was no Scrip- 
tural settlement of tithes upon Grospel ministers, and also 
offered to prove, that he was neither in the practice of the 
Levites, to whom tithes were directed to be paid, nor yet 
in the practice of those ministers whom Christ qualified, 
ordained, and sent forth : first, not in the practice of the 
Levites; because the tithes due to them, were for their 
service and punctual performance of their part of the cere- 
monial law. Numb, xviii. 21, which if any now claimed, it 
seemed to me that he subjected himself to the practice of 
burnt-offerings and sacrifices, circumcision, Jewish habits, 
washing, etc., (besi.des which, the law which appointed 
the tithe to the Levites, expressly forbids them to have 
any share or inheritance in the land, as appears from 
Numb, xviii. 20, 23, 24, and Deut. xviii. 1, 2.) which 
the modern claimers of tithe would be loth to be com- 
pelled to the practice of; not to insist on the law of the 
third year's tithe, of which the widow, the fatherless, and 
the stranger within their gates, were to receive a consid- 
erable part as their allotted portion. Deut. xiv. 28, 29. 
Second, not in the practice of those ministers Christ quali- 
fied and sent forth; for these went out by an especial com- 
mand from him, without gold, silver, or brass in their 

16 



182 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

purses, without two coats; and so intent were they to he 
in the execution of their great duty of preaching the Gos- 
pel, that they were to salute no man by the way, but to go 
forward on the great errand they had received in commis- 
sion. And when they returned to their Lord, he asked 
them. If they lacked any thing ? And they said, nothing; 
yet not because they had forced a maintenance from any, 
but that the effect of their ministry among their hearers 
had been so prevalent, that those who had been convinced 
by their doctrine, and turned to the effectual power of 
Christ in themselves, had from thence known their hearts 
so opened, as to administer to all their immediate necessi- 
ties ; and these, thus sent, had only eat such things as were 
set before them, as they were appointed ; and where they 
had sown spirituals, had only reaped of the temporals of 
their converts for their immediate subsistence. But though 
thou sowest not to me of thy spirituals, nor do I believe 
thee to be one who hath any thing spiritual, which can be 
of any benefit to my spiritual part; and though thou 
esteemest me as an heathen man and a publican, and I am 
excommunicated and cut off from any church-fellowship 
with thee, (not for any evil, but as far as I can understand, 
for not coming to what thou callest the Church,) yet thou 
expectest to reap of my temporals, because the law of the 
land has given thee that power ; which disposition to reap 
where thou hast not sown, and to gather where thou hast 
not strown, is far from manifesting a Christian spirit. 

The priest further urged some passages out of the New 
Testament, in vindication of the payment of tithes, allud- 
ing to that of the apostle, 1 Cor. ix. 7, about sowing of 
spiritual things unto us; that it was but a small thing if 
such received of our carnal things; and that of feeding 
a flock, and partaking of the milk of the flock ; and of 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 183 

planting a vineyard, and eating of the fruit thereof: all 
which I endeavoured to obviate, by showing, that he did 
not sow his spirituals to us, so as that he might be intituled 
to our carnal things ; neither were we of that flock which 
he should partake of the milk of; neither were a vineyard 
which he had planted, that he might eat of the fruit 
thereof. Furthermore I said, as I am a stranger and an 
excommunicated person, and not of thy children, the 
apostles, if they wanted or were in any straits for necessa- 
ries, did not apply to strangers for help, but to such of 
their children as they had been instrumental in the hand 
of God to plant the true faith and sow the seed of the 
kingdom in. Now these who are thu$ convinced, and by 
the work of God's power converted, these were such who 
knew spiritual things sown in them, who I believed were 
very free to distribute (where true need was) of their 
temporal things, especially to such who had been instru- 
mental in the Lord's hand to their coming to the saving 
knowledge of Jesus Christ. But I showed the priest, that 
all this carried no analogy to what was between him and 
me; for I, being excommunicated, was but to him as an 
heathen man and a publican, and as we never came to hear 
him, we could not owe him any acknowledgment, nor could 
he expect any thing as a free-will offering on that account. 

This Priest Wykes (for that was his name) was a 
strong spirited man, of considerable parts and learning; 
and a neighbouring Justice of the Peace told me, he was 
fearful would be very severe with me; yet to his com- 
mendation be it spoken, he was ever after this conference 
very loving, and never gave me any trouble for that he 
called his dues. 

I may add one observation or two not mentioned in our 
debate, which were, that if the maintenance of the priests 



184 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

was to be wholly withdrawn, or left to the freedom and 
generosity of the people, many of them would want and 
come to poverty, and be forced to labour with their hands, 
which would distract or at least impede their studies. I 
answered, that with such ministers as they were, this might 
be the case. But if all would come truly and rightly to 
wait on the great teacher, the anointing in themselves, it 
would greatly tend to the advantage of Christendom ; for 
the Almighty, who by His good Spirit is alone able to raise 
up and qualify Gospel-ministers, as He knows the wants 
of His people, and their faith and trust in Him, would no 
doubt raise up from among them faithful ministers; such, 
who being humble, meek and low in heart, like him of 
whom they had learned, would be content to live in mod- 
eration on a little, and to labour in their respective call- 
ings, like the Apostle Paul, that great minister of the 
Gentiles, working with their hands that their ministry 
might not be chargeable, such as fishermen, collectors of 
customs, etc.; whose ministry being not their own, but re- 
ceived immediately from the great Shepherd of the sheep, 
would not require much time and study to pen down, but 
coming from the Spirit of Truth, immediately moving 
upon the minister's heart, would be more effectual to reach 
the witness of Truth in the hearts of their hearers than 
all the laboured discourses of the most subtile priest, 
though the produce of much pains and study. Neither 
have I found in all my travels, from any observation I have 
made, that ever the faithful ministers of Christ became 
any great burden or charge to the churches ; for I have 
seen the Divine Providence attend the Lord's faithful ser- 
vants, who thereby have been enabled to order their affairs 
with discretion, so as to want little. 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 185 



CHAPTER IX. 

Second Visit to Friends in America — Discussion with a Baptist — 
Debate witli an Episcopalian — Answers the Objections of a 
Presbyterian Priest — Returns to England — Remarkable Deliv- 
erance — Isaac Skelton's Love. 

I HAVING liad drawings in my mind, for some consid- 
erable time, once more to visit Friends in several parts of 
America, and inasmuch as I believed it was my duty, and 
what the Lord required of me to give up to, I was re- 
signed, after some reasonings about my age and declension 
as to ability of outward strength, concerning which I met 
with some inward conflicts and combatings which brought 
me very low for a time; but the Lord helped me through 
these difficulties, and caused His Truth to spring comfort- 
ably in my heart, and His heavenly presence I witnessed 
at times to refresh my soul in these exercises unknown to 
many ; and the time being come for my preparing for the 
journey, on the 15th of the Third month, 1731, I set for- 
ward from Hutton in the Hole to Scarborough, where I 
took shipping with Greorge Widget, for London, and came 
thither the first day of the Yearly Meeting, with which I 
was very well satisfied, and on the 25th day of the Fourth 
month, went on board of a vessel bound for Philadelphia, 
in America, John Wilcox master, who was very civil and 
kind to me. 

On the 27th of the said month we set sail, and had a 
good passage in the main, excepting that we had one very 
great storm, in which we were in danger of being lost; 

16* 



186 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

our bolt-sprit was broke, and the masts were in danger of 
coming down, yet we were preserved, and in about eleven 
weeks, being the 12th of the Seventh month, I landed 
near Philadelphia, to the great satisfaction of Friends as 
well as myself, renowned be the great name of the Lord 
for ever. 

I have many times considered, that although it was my 
place to leave my very near and dear friends, children, and 
relations, who in a tender frame of spirit were much con- 
cerned for me, and I for them, yet I met with many ten- 
der-hearted Friends in my travels, who were very near me 
in the ever blessed Truth ; which fails not those who trust 
in the Lord and are faithful, according to the ability and 
understanding which the Lord hath given to the children 
of men, and are devoted to answer the leadings and guid- 
ance of His Holy Spirit, and willing to bear the cross, 
burden, or yoke, which he sees good to lay upon His ser- 
vants and handmaids. And I entreat all such who are 
called unto the Lord's great work, to give up cheerfully 
and not grudgingly, and not to look back at what is be- 
hind, so as to hasten or hinder themselves in that work 
they are called to, lest they fall short of that penny, or 
crown, which the faithful will receive in the end of all 
their labour. 

The Yearly Meeting at Philadelphia was nigh when 
we landed, which was large, and a good meeting, many 
Friends from several parts being at it. Here I met with 
Henry Frankland, and we were truly glad to see each 
other, and went in company together southward toward 
Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, and returned to 
Pennsylvania; and in a short time after we parted, he came 
for Old England, and I travelled for New England through 
the Jerseys, Long Island, Rhode Island, and Nantucket, 



LIFE OP JOHN RICHARDSON. 187 

having E-ichard Wain, of Pennsylvania, for my companion, 
an innocent, good man. We passed through all or most 
part of the aforesaid provinces and islands, and had very 
large meetings, and great attention there was in many to 
hear the testimony of Truth, and an open door both of 
utterance and, in many places, of entrance for what was 
delivered; yet not without opposition in some places. 

I had some discourse with a Baptist, a Justice of the 
Peace, in one of the Jerseys (a man whom I truly loved), 
and he told me that some of his children went to our meet- 
ings, and he did not hinder them : he appeared a tender 
spirited man, and was of good repute in these parts where 
he lived, and very serviceable in his post. What we had 
most in debate, was touching water-baptism. I endeav- 
oured to show him the use and end of all the shadowy 
things, all which were ended in Christ the substance, or 
antitype; and that such outward materials or elements ap- 
pertained not unto his kingdom, or inward and spiritual 
administration ; nor could they take away the root or cause 
of sin, which is only effected by the Holy Grhost and fire, 
or the Holy Ghost that worketh as doth fire, to the cleans- 
ing and purifying the hearts of the children of men, as is 
the nature of material fire to cleanse what it is properly 
applied unto. 

I met with the same justice afterwards at Burlington, 
in New Jersey; he was glad to see me, and so was I to see 
him, for he was very loving and friendly. I likewise met 
with a man who was a school-master upon Long Island, 
that appeared somewhat offended at something I had said 
in a meeting where he had been; and he followed me to a 
Friend's house, and appeared so full of Scriptures in vin- 
dication (as he thought) of water-baptism, that what with 
his reading many passages in the Scriptures, and parapha- 



188 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

sing upon them, lie would not hear me for some time; but 
when he was quiet I said to him, thou hast not treated 
me like a fair disputant, to run on so long, and not to give 
me time to make my objections; if thou hadst pitched 
upon any particular Scripture, and given me liberty to 
have answered, it would have been civil and reasonable. 
He owned, he had not done fairly by me ; but I desired 
to know what church he pretended to belong to? He 
answered. To the Episcopal Church. I then requested he 
would answer me one question before we entered into any 
further debate, and he promised he would if he understood 
it. I told him, I heard he was a scholar, and no doubt 
but understood how to answer it, if he did but consider 
the matter : the query was this. Whether the sprinkling 
a little water in a child's face, would bear the name bap- 
tism, yea or nay? He said it would not. I answered, 
thou hast made a great pother and noise about little or 
nothing; for by thy own confession thy church has no 
baptism at all, for I know not of any other way they use 
but sprinkling. He would not enter into any further dis- 
course about it, but made use of the^ words of G-amaliel 
in favour of the work the apostles were concerned in, say- 
ing, If this work be of Grod, it could not be overthrown, 
but if it was of man it would come to nought. I told him, 
I was of his mind ; and the Lord has supported me in this 
and the like work now between forty and fifty years, and 
if I continued faithful, I had no doubt at all in my mind 
but He would support and stand by me to the end. And 
when we parted he said. The Lord of heaven and earth 
bless you, for I believe you are an honest man. 

By this we may see, that Truth sometimes comes over 
men, and the witness which God hath placed in men is 
reached, and Truth prevails many times beyond our expec- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 189 

tation, or what is by us foreseen ; therefore it is good to 
keep to the guidance or leading of the Spirit of Truth, for 
it is a blessed remembrancer, instructor, and true comforter 
to all such as truly depend upon Him, who sent the Spirit 
of Truth into the hearts of the children of men, to guide 
them into all the necessary Truths which we are to know 
and practice, and consequently out of all untruth. 

AVhen we had gone through this island, and visited 
Friends there and in Rhode Island, and had some meet- 
ings in our way, we went to Nantucket, where we met with 
many innocent plain Friends; also on Pthode Island, and 
in many places in these parts of the country we found 
great openness, — in Boston beyond expectation, and there 
was some convincement in that town. We travelled up to 
Dover, and visited Friends thereabout (which aie the most 
remote parts where Friends inhabit in that quarter of New 
England), where I met with a Presbyterian priest. What 
his design chiefly was in coming to the Friend's house, I 
know not, but thought it was to see or rather speak with 
me, for he soon began to ask me some questions : first, 
Whether I was not brought up a scholar, and had been in 
some of the colleges where I had my education ? and also, 
whether I had not put on the canonical gown, and preach- 
ed according to the manner of the Church of England ? 
I replied, I had not received my education in any college, 
neither ever put on the canonical gown, nor preached after 
the manner of the Church of England. He told me, I 
had been so represented to him ; and said, he supposed 
I had been at some schools. I told him, I had been at 
several to learn when I was young; and said, I did not 
know that I had given occasion at any time, by what I had 
said, whereby any man might judge me to be a scholar. 
He understood I came from Old England, and began to 



190 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

ask several questions, as, Whetter our Friends increased 
or decreased ? I answered, I could not positively tell : I 
thought there was no great alteration in my time as to 
number, for their decrease in one part of the nation, I 
thought, might be made up in their increase in another 
part. He also asked me. How the Episcopal ministers 
dealt with us about their tithes ? My answer was thus : 
As to that part called the Praedial Tithes, they commonly 
either gather them themselves or family, or let them to 
tenants who take care to fetch them away before us, know- 
ing that we cannot be free to leave them on the ground, 
as hay and corn, etc.; and as to small tithes, there is an 
Act of Parliament,* called An Act for the t/iore ea?.y Re- 
covery of Small Tithes^ for any Sum not exceeding Forty 
Shillings^ and Ten Shillings Cost, which is by Justice's 
warrants. This is mostly thought to be intended to pre- 
vent their procedure by exchequer process, through which 
great havock and spoil has been made of Friends' goods, 
and sometimes their bodies cast into prison, where some 
have laid a long time. He asked. How our Friends did 
in Scotland, if they increased there ? I told him, I heard 
that they did not increase 3 but some of the Presbyterians 
in Scotland were kind to our Friends, and would come to 



* The 7th and 8th of William III., c. 6, is the Act for Recovery 
of small Tithes or Oflferings, etc., not amounting to above the 
yearly value of Forty shillings, which is common for all people, 
the cost not exceeding Ten shillings, before two or more Justices 
of the Peace, not to go back above two years. 

The 7th and 8th of William III., c. 34, which is our Affirma- 
tion Act, is the Act for the Recovery of Tithes and Church-rates 
for any Sum not exceeding Ten pounds from Quakers only, be- 
fore two Justices of the Peace, without any limitation of time; 
and by the statute of the first of George I., c. 6, ^ 2, limited to 
Ten shillings cost. See the Statutes at large. 



LIFE OP JOHN RICHARDSON. 191 

our meetings, especially if strangers were at tliem; and 
I also told him, that persecution in our part of the world 
was become hateful among most sober people. He said, 
It was very well ; and likewise mentioned, that we were 
refined, and not the peoph we had been. I asked him, 
wherein he thought we were refined ? He answered. In 
our principles. I desired him to name one; and he said, 
George Fox denied the resurrection of the dead. I told 
him. George Fox did own a resurrection according to the 
Scriptures, as we do; but because he and our Friends 
thought it not safe to recede from plain Scripture, nor to 
comply with the way many people have of expressing it, 
which we think to be too gross and carnal, viz., that the 
same body shall rise, therefore they have asserted we deny 
the resurrection. The apostle saith, That which thou 
sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, for it is 
sown in corruption, raised in incorruption, sown a natural, 
raised a spiritual body ; with much more that might be 
added : and how much such a change maketh a difference 
between the present and the future in the resurrection, 
between the natural and spiritual, corruption and incorrup- 
tion, I know not of any finite creature that is able truly to 
determine; and therefore I think it is not consistent with 
charity or true wisdom to differ about such things which 
exceed our comprehension. He allowed it to be better to 
let them alone. 

We parted very friendly, and Friends were glad of the 
opportunity, he having the character of being a great 
scholar and a wise man; but from all that passed, they be- 
lieved he gained no advantage : however he behaved well; 
and before we parted, I told him, I thought the greatest 
reason why some think us refined was this, that formerly 
people were so prejudiced, that whatever was printed or 



192 LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

said agaiust us, our principles, practice, and doctrines, was 
generally received and believed, tliough never so much 
disguised or covered with such dresses as might render us 
most odious, and were by many taken for the standard of 
our belief and practice;' but of late the light hath more 
appeared, and many are grown better disposed toward us, 
and like wise men, not willing to be imposed upon any 
longer, have searched for themselves into the state of the 
controversy between us and our opposers; and our writings 
upon perusal, appearing so clear and different from what 
the books of those who opposed us charged upon us, caused 
many who read them with a good design, and were willing 
to be set right, to say we were reformed, and not the people 
that we had been. The priest said, He thought there 
might be much owing to that. I told him it was undenia- 
ble that there must be a great difference between our prin- 
ciples, doctrines, and conversations, truly stated and set 
forth in their proper light, and when they were misrepre- 
sented, sometimes with all the art and implacable malice 
that men were capable of. And this has been the way our 
adversaries have treated us, almost in every thing we have 
believed, said, or written, although it was very agreeable 
to the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. 

We returned back by Salem, Lynn, and Boston, and 
visited Friends in our way, and at Rhode Island, Long 
Island, and New York ; and we had many good meetings 
and some large in the Jerseys, where I had some discourse 
with a Justice of the Peace about water baptism, but he 
did not hold it long before he gave up; and I had another 
at Allen's-town with a Presbyterian, which held for some 
hours, about water baptism, and concerning election and 
reprobation, and he also soon gave up as to the first ; but 
when he began about election and reprobation, 1 said, I 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 193 

thought it was the most pernicious doctrine that ever was 
broached in the world : it did so oppose the very nature of 
God, and His design of creating of man, which, with all 
His other works, He pronounced good and blessed; and 
that man, as the crown and glory of all His works which 
He had created, should be designed for the most miserable 
end, was unaccountable. I urged many Scriptures against 
that doctrine, as also the confusion they were in about it, 
as that of their Westminster Confession of Faith, wherein 
they say, That the decree is so certain and definite, that 
one cannot be added to the number of the elect, or dimin- 
ished from the number of the reprobate; and yet you tell 
us, that Grod hath ordained the means to effect His ends. 
I then said, this supposition of a decree for the means, as 
well as the end, seems intended to make the priests and 
their service necessary ; but yet if they cannot alter the 
decree, what benefit or advantage can there be to men by 
their services or performance ? I hope none will think 
that a service to mankind, to strengthen or confirm that 
decree if it were in their power to do it, which I am sat- 
isfied it is not; because no such decree was made or is in 
being; the opposite appearing by plain Scripture (which 
he owned when I urged it), to wit, that the fall of Adam 
did affect all; and upon the parity of reason, the coming 
of Christ did reach as far; because, as in Adam all die, so 
in Christ shall all be made alive : he tasted death for every 
man, was a propitiation for the sins of all; and where then 
wilt thou find a people that is not included ? But if thou 
canst find in, and prove by, plain Scripture that there is 
such a people not included in these general assertions, that 
Christ came to save, show me who they are. These and 
much more I urged against that doctrine, and he with many 
others appeared much satisfied, and we parted friendly: he 

ir 



194: LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

came next day several miles to a meeting which I had ap- 
pointed. The man was counted a wise and sober man, and 
was under some convincement, and behaved well. 

From thence we went to Pennsylvania, and had many 
good meetings in that part, and being clear and willing to 
return, I took leave of Friends in a loving and tender 
frame of spirit, and embarked on board a ship, whereof 
Samuel Flower was master, the 1st of the Third month, 
1733, at Philadelphia, and arrived at Bristol, the 18th of 
the Fourth month following, and was glad we got safe to 
England, having been seven weeks in our passage. I got 
home on the 6th of the Sixth month, and was truly thank- 
ful to the Lord, who had preserved me in these long 
travels and labours of love, through many difficulties ; but 
the Lord's power is sufficient to bear up and carry through 
all, renowned be His worthy name over all. now and for 
ever. Amen. 

A remarkable deliverance which happened to me, 
being omitted in its proper place, I think fit to insert here, 
which was as follows : — 

In the year 1718, and the Twelth month, when John 
Dodgson was visiting Friends in our parts, he lodged with 
me, and I went with him and his brother-in-law, Peter 
Buck, to be their guide to Whitby, and staid their First- 
day's Meeting, and Second-day's Preparative Meeting; 
and on the Third-day I went on with Friends toward Scar- 
borough, to have the better road home, there having fallen 
a great deal of snow while we were at Whitby, so that it 
was looked upon impracticable for me to return the same 
way home that I came, it being a moorish, bad way. But 
in our way back, within a mile or little more from Scar- 
borough, we came to a brook, which by reason of the ex- 



LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 195 

cessive rain and snow was higher than ever I had seen it, 
so that when we came to ride through it, Henry Levins, 
our guide, first adventured in, being mounted upon a very 
strong large horse, and got over with some difiiculty, and 
I followed him; hut when I came about the middle of the 
fording-place, it took my mare off her feet, and something 
being in the way, it turned her upon her broadside, so that 
I was dismounted and carried away by the rapidity of the 
stream ; but there being a foot-bridge a little below, about 
knee deep under water, and no rail either to be a guide, 
or to lay a hand on, and the water being reduced to a nar- 
row compass, hurried me violently along, and drove me 
with my breast against the bridge with such force, that it 
very near knocked the breath out of me; but before I 
touched the bridge I happened to hold up my hand, and 
John Dodgson, seeing the danger I was in, jumped off his 
horse, and ran at a venture (seeing the water ripple) to 
hit the bridge, and just caught hold of my fingers, and 
held my head above water, until Henry Levins, who was 
got over, came to his assistance. 

But by the strength of the water in my boot-tops, they 
being large, and by a nail (in the timber under the bridge) 
catching hold of my great coat, which held me fast, it was 
impossible for one man to free me, and not without some 
difficulty for them both to get me out, the nail holding so 
fast that it tore out a great piece of my coat, lining and 
all ; but upon Henry's dismounting,'his horse ran away to 
Scarborough, and mine swam back to the company, and 
when they had got me out, Henry ran on foot to get his 
horse, and found him at the stable door where he used to 
stand, and in the mean time John Dodgson kept me in 
motion by dragging me along, having very little or some- 
times no hopes of my recovery. When the horse re- 



A 



IDG LIFE OF JOHN RICHARDSON. 

turned, tliey got me back to Scarborough, but I was not 
sensible how, and they had me to Dorothy Jaques' house, 
and when there, they could perceive my lips move, but 
could not hear what I said, until one laid an ear close to 
my mouth, and so understood that I said, If they gave me 
any thing that was strong, it would carry me off; which 
made them very cautious. However, they stripped me and 
changed my shirt, and put me into a warmed bed, and 
applied warm flannel to my feet for three hours together, 
which I knew nothing of, being then altogether senseless. 

Isaac Skelton, who had been a companion of mine in 
the service of the Truth through several counties, hearing 
of this accident, came immediately and got into bed to me, 
and kept me close in his bosom, which many thought was 
a great means to preserve my life. John Dodgson, though 
he intended for the Monthly Meeting, expressed so great 
a concern for me, that he said, he would either see me in 
a way of recovery, or die, before he left me; yet it pleased 
the Lord of His infinite mercy so wonderfully to raise me 
up again, as to enable me to be at the meeting next day, 
and also to bear some testimony, which was very accepta- 
ble and comfortable to Friends, as it was also to see me 
there beyond their expectation ; but yet I was much trou- 
bled with pain, the fleshy part of my shoulder being rent 
by the violent hauling me out of the water. 

In gratitude my soul can do no less than praise and 
magnify the Lord for this great deliverance, and all His 
other mercies, who alone is worthy. And I cannot but 
take notice of Friends' kindness and good will to me, in 
doing whatsoever they could for me, but more especially 
my worthy Friend John Dodgson, who hazarded his life 
to save mine. 

THE END. 



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